Top Six to Battle in New Shillong Super Cup
By Our Reporter
Shillong, May 22: The Shillong Premier League (SPL) is set for a major format overhaul in its 2025 edition, with the Shillong Sports Association (SSA) announcing a shift to a single-leg league format.
The decision, aimed at reducing fixture congestion, means each of the 10 participating teams will play nine matches, bringing the total number of games down to 45.
Unlike SPL 2023, which also followed a single-leg structure but included semifinals and a final, the 2025 champions will be decided solely on league standings, with no playoffs involved.
However, the top six teams will qualify for a newly introduced tournament—the Shillong Super Cup. The top two finishers in the SPL will earn direct entry into the semifinals, while teams placed third to sixth will face off in playoff matches to secure the remaining two spots.The announcement was made during a press conference hosted by the SSA on Wednesday.
The tournament committee also confirmed a regulation allowing a maximum of two non-Meghalaya residents in a club’s starting XI.
SPL 2025 is scheduled to begin in July, returning to an earlier calendar slot compared to last year’s October start.
The 10 teams set to compete include defending champions Shillong Lajong, Mawlai, Rangdajied United, Nangkiew Irat, Laitkor, Langsning, Nongrim Hills, Sawmer, and newly promoted sides Malki and Mylliem.SSA officials noted that the shorter season would avoid calendar clashes with major tournaments like the Santosh Trophy and Meghalaya State League.
SSA General Secretary Dipshon L Nongbri thanked Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and the state government for their continued support, especially in upgrading the SSA Stadium at Polo.
In addition, SSA Working President Robert Dkhar highlighted plans to host a Championship League later this year, featuring champions from all five SSA men’s divisions. The league is expected to take place in November.
The SSA also confirmed the return of the Women’s Football League and youth tournaments in the U-12, U-14, and U-16 categories later in the year.
The 2025 season will officially kick off with the U-20 Fourth Division on June 2.
