The All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed on Saturday that the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025–26 season will be conducted, bringing a measure of clarity to a competition that has been clouded by uncertainty for months.
The federation also stated that the official dates for the season will be announced next week, with a proposed start date of February 15 currently on the table. The confirmation came after a meeting of the AIFF Emergency Committee, which convened to consider and acknowledge the report submitted by the AIFF–ISL Coordination Committee. The Coordination Committee had been constituted on December 20, 2025, following deliberations at the AIFF Executive Committee meeting and the subsequent Annual General Meeting, at a time when the future of India’s top-tier football league appeared increasingly precarious.
The committee was mandated to examine the immediate operational challenges facing the ISL, especially in the absence of a commercial partner, and recommend a way forward that would ensure continuity of the league. As requested, the committee submitted its report to the AIFF Secretariat by January 2, a deadline that was duly met. The Emergency Committee formally acknowledged the report on Saturday and accepted its core recommendation: that the ISL be conducted directly under the aegis of the AIFF to ensure the season begins without further delay.
A delayed season and mounting pressure
Under normal circumstances, the ISL season would have kicked off in September. However, the 2025–26 edition has been pushed deep into the calendar due to the failure to secure a commercial partner and broadcaster after the conclusion of the earlier agreement. This delay has had a cascading effect, impacting club finances, player contracts, pre-season planning and India’s overall domestic football ecosystem.
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The situation escalated dramatically on Friday, when a group of senior Indian footballers, including former captain Sunil Chhetri, national team goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and defender Sandesh Jhingan, released a video message titled “Save Indian Football.” In the video, the players appealed directly to FIFA and the global players’ union FIFPRO, claiming that “the Indian football government can no longer fulfil its responsibilities.” The timing of the AIFF’s announcement, just a day later, underlined the gravity of the crisis and the pressure on the federation to act decisively.
In its proposal shared with ISL clubs, the AIFF has recommended February 15 as the tentative start date for the 2025–26 season. The federation has also proposed several measures aimed at ensuring the league can be staged smoothly despite the unresolved commercial arrangements.
One of the most significant recommendations is the imposition of a participation fee of ₹1 crore per club. The committee has taken a hard line on participation, stating that any club refusing to take part in the league should face disqualification or relegation to the second division. This clause is likely to spark debate among clubs, particularly given the financial strain many are already facing due to delayed revenues and uncertainty around broadcast income.
The report further recommends a clear division of responsibilities between the federation and the clubs. According to the proposal, the AIFF will bear the costs related to refereeing and broadcast production, while clubs will continue to organise home matches, as they have done in previous seasons. This model is intended to reduce the operational burden on clubs while ensuring that core league functions remain centrally managed.
Crucially, the committee has urged the AIFF to declare the league’s start date without delay and avoid prolonged negotiations that could further derail the season. “The AIFF should finalize the short-term competition format in consultation with the clubs, and in the absence of consensus, exercise its authority as league owner to finalize the format without permitting further delay or digression,” the report stated.
Format options and AFC exemption
Given the compressed timeline and logistical constraints, the competition format for the upcoming season remains flexible. The AIFF has asked clubs to submit their preferred format by January 4. Among the options suggested are a single-leg home-and-away format or a single-leg tournament held at a centralized venue.
If all 14 teams participate, either format would result in each team playing approximately 13 matches during the league phase, a significant reduction from the traditional double round-robin structure. The federation has indicated that it will write to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on January 4 to seek an exemption, depending on the format chosen, to ensure compliance with continental regulations.
This step is crucial, as AFC approval will be required for any deviation from standard league structures, particularly given the implications for club licensing and qualification for continental competitions.
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One of the core issues behind the ISL’s delayed start has been the absence of a commercial partner and broadcaster. To address this, the AIFF has announced that it will issue a fresh Request for Proposal (RFP) on January 15, with the aim of onboarding a new commercial partner by January 31.
In its communication, the federation acknowledged the practical challenges involved in securing such partnerships within a tight timeframe. “Finding a commercial partner/broadcaster will typically take 30 days,” the AIFF noted, adding that while it remains the federation’s intent for clubs to lead discussions and negotiations with potential partners, time constraints necessitate a parallel approach.
To avoid further delays to the league, the AIFF has proposed that clubs proceed with the season as scheduled, even as discussions on commercial arrangements continue. The federation has also expressed its willingness to work jointly with clubs to refine the RFP, making it more attractive for broadcasters and sponsors not only for this season but for future editions as well. Clubs have been invited to provide inputs, particularly on the tender for broadcast production, with the AIFF open to allowing clubs to take a leading role in these processes.
Beyond the immediate challenge of staging the 2025–26 season, the AIFF has indicated that it plans to finalise the long-term structure of the ISL and its governance framework by April 20. This will be a critical exercise, as the current crisis has exposed deeper structural and governance issues within Indian football.
The players’ appeal to FIFA and FIFPRO has already placed the spotlight on the AIFF’s ability to manage the sport effectively. While Saturday’s announcement provides short-term reassurance that the ISL will go ahead, questions remain about financial sustainability, transparency, and the balance of power between the federation, clubs and commercial stakeholders.
As Indian football navigates one of its most turbulent phases in recent years, the coming weeks will be decisive. The AIFF’s ability to deliver a functional ISL season, secure a credible commercial partner, and restore confidence among players, clubs, and fans will determine not just the fate of the 2025–26 campaign, but the broader trajectory of the sport in the country.
