BFF confirms restart date for BFL and Federation Cup

The second phase of the Bangladesh Football League (BFL) 2025-26 is finally set to return to action after months of uncertainty.

The league’s first phase concluded on 3 January before entering a month-long mid-season transfer window. Although the schedule for the second phase was initially announced, the competition was postponed due to the national election and requests from law enforcement authorities. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) was unable to provide a definite restart date at the time, leaving clubs uncertain about when play would resume.

However, in a revised fixture list sent to clubs on Thursday night, the BFF confirmed that the second phase of the league will begin on 6 March.

After two rounds of matches, the league will pause again to allow preparations for the national team’s upcoming assignment in the AFC Asian Cup qualification. Bangladesh will play their final qualifying match against Singapore on 31 March. Head coach Javier Cabrera plans to start the national team’s training camp from 15 March, prompting the federation to avoid scheduling league matches after 14 March.

As a result, clubs will face an unusual situation: after waiting nearly two months for the league to resume, they will play only two matches before enduring another 28-day gap prior to the third fixture. The league will restart again on 10 April and continue without further interruption, with the season set to conclude on 23 May. League matches will be held on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Federation Cup will follow a similar pattern. After matches on 10 March, the tournament will pause for nearly a month before resuming on 7 April. The final is scheduled for 19 May, with matches typically played on Tuesdays.

In the title race, Bashundhara Kings lead the table with 18 points after the first phase, level on points with second-placed Fortis FC. Rahmatganj MFS are third with 15 points from nine matches, while the defending champions Mohammedan SC are currently sixth with 10 points.

After delays and criticism, the long wait is finally over and the second phase of the BFL is ready to roll once again.