1996–97 National Football League (India)
The 1996–97 National Football League, also known as the Philips National League for sponsorship reasons, was the inaugural season of the National Football League. The tournament began on 17 December 1996 and concluded on 16 March 1997. Before the commencement, the All India Football Federation maintained that it would be a semi-professional tournament for the first two years.
Bhutan National League
The National League is a standalone football competition, that operates as the highest level of football in Bhutan. It consists of six teams, four of which are based in Thimpu, with the remainder coming from other districts. The four Thimphu-based teams compete in Thimphu League, which was previously the top league in the country, but now serves as a qualifying tournament for the national league. Competing teams in the league play each other twice on a home and away basis. Previously, when the A-Division was the country's top league, all matches were played at Changlimithang, the country's national stadium, making "home" and "away" distinctions essentially moot. Whilst the Thimphu-based teams still play their matches at that ground, the regional teams maintain their own stadia and genuine home and away fixtures now take place.