North East Premier League

Organising body	North East Football Development Council Bestserv Inc.
Founded	2026
Country	India
Region	Northeast India

The North East Premier League (NEPL) is a regional professional football league in Northeast India, officially introduced in January 2026. The league has been conceived as a long-term competition aimed at strengthening football development, sustainability, opportunities for players and stakeholders, and helping state associations move towards financial self-sufficiency, across the eight states. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Contents

• History
• Objectives
• Format
• See also
• References

History

The North East Premier League was formally unveiled on 20 January 2026 at a press conference held in Guwahati. The league was established through a deed of contract signed between the North East Football Development Council]] (NEFDC), representing the eight state football associations of the region, and Japanese firm Bestserv Inc., under a ten-year agreement.

Objectives

According to league officials, the NEPL is envisioned as a structured and stable competition that prioritises long-term growth. The league seeks to provide regular competitive football, enhance fan engagement, and contribute to the overall development of football infrastructure and administration in the region.

Format

Initial reports indicate that the league may feature a franchise-based structure and matches hosted across multiple regional venues during its first season. ^[4]

See also

• Football in India
• Northeast Derby (India)
• Sikkim Football Association
• Assam Football Association
• Arunachal Pradesh Football Association
• Himachal Pradesh Football Association
• Nagaland Football Association
• All Manipur Football Association
• Mizoram Football Association
• Tripura Football Association

References