AIFF’s New I-League Commercial Rights RFP (2026–2030): What It Means for Indian Football

The All India Football Federation’s new I-League Commercial Rights RFP (2026–2030) arrives at a critical moment for Indian football.

Following the failed commercial tender for the Indian Super League which received no bids due to steep financial demands and excessive operational risk the AIFF has moved quickly to restructure its approach. The newly issued I-League RFP covers I-League 1, I-League 2, and I-League 3, and represents an attempt to stabilize the football pyramid, restore commercial credibility, and ensure the promotion–relegation system remains functional. 

This article examines the commercial, financial and structural implications of the new RFP, and what it signals for the future of Indian football.

A Necessary Reset After the ISL Tender Collapse

The failure of the ISL’s 15-year commercial rights tender was a watershed moment. Bidders balked at the ₹37.5 crore annual minimum guarantee, the ₹250 crore net worth requirement, and the lack of operational control despite being asked to shoulder all financial responsibilities. This collapse left Indian football with a major credibility gap. 

To course-correct, the AIFF designed the I-League RFP to be far more realistic. The differences are stark:

This massive reduction shows the AIFF acknowledging market conditions, Supreme Court oversight, and the urgent need to secure at least one functioning commercial partner before the league system falters. 

The Money Model: Small Guarantees, Big Responsibilities

Under the new RFP, the selected Rights Holder must commit to a ₹6 crore Annual Minimum Guarantee distributed as follows:

• ₹4 crore for I-League (Tier 1)
• ₹1.25 crore for I-League 2
• ₹0.75 crore for I-League 3

This may look manageable, but the financial pressures that follow are substantial. The Rights Holder must pay ₹6 crore or 5% of gross revenue, whichever is higher, though projections show it is unlikely gross revenues will cross the ₹120 crore threshold required to activate the 5% clause. The I-League simply does not generate enough broadcast or sponsorship income to trigger that ceiling. 

Clubs Still Face Harsh Financial Realities

One of the RFP’s biggest concerns is how little of this money actually reaches clubs. If the ₹4 crore I-League amount is split equally among 12 clubs, each club receives roughly: ₹33 lakh per season

This is just 3–5% of a typical I-League club’s annual operating budget of ₹10–15 crore. The rest must be covered entirely by private owners a model that has already pushed several clubs to the brink of collapse.  Additionally, the AIFF reserves the right to distribute remaining funds at its discretion, creating further uncertainty for club budgeting and long-term planning.

Without a structured revenue-sharing mechanism, clubs remain financially unstable, discouraging investment in youth development, infrastructure or professional management.

Production Costs Could Exceed the Rights Fee Itself

The RFP requires professional broadcast production:

• 6-camera setups for I-League
• 3-camera setups for I-League 2 & 3
• Digital streaming minimum for lower tiers
• Stadium lighting of 1,200 lux
• 100 Mbps dedicated broadcast internet

Even before factoring in logistics, talent, crew, graphics, and replay systems, a single season of professional-quality production can cost ₹4 crore or more equaling the entire Tier 1 guarantee.  Lighting upgrades present an even bigger challenge. Many I-League stadiums fall below broadcast standards. Retrofitting LED lighting is expensive: ₹79 lakh to ₹4.5 crore per stadium

If the Rights Holder must upgrade even a handful of venues, production costs could double, making profitability extremely difficult. This means the commercial partner must approach the project with tight operational discipline and long-term vision rather than short-term profit expectations.

The Survival of Lower Leagues Depends on Digital Scaling

I-League 2 and 3 present an even bigger production challenge. Traditional broadcast setups are too expensive relative to their small budgets. The only viable solution is AI-driven automated camera systems that drastically reduce manpower and operating costs.  If deployed nationwide, these systems could revolutionize grassroots scouting, data collection and accessibility, turning the lower tiers into a valuable digital content asset.

This would be essential not only for visibility but for the AIFF’s broader push toward structured promotion–relegation and nationwide competition pathways.

Who Controls What? Governance Still a Risk

One of the most damaging issues in the ISL tender was governance: AIFF demanded money, while retaining total control over league operations.

The I-League RFP risks repeating this mistake unless clarity is established. Without operational control scheduling, commercial approvals, broadcast decisions — the Rights Holder cannot secure meaningful sponsorship or build a sustainable product. Justice Rao’s recommendations to restructure league governance must be implemented to avoid a repeat failure. 

What the Tender Really Represents

The I-League RFP is not a high-profit commercial opportunity. Instead, it is:

• A stabilization contract after ISL tender failure
• A means to ensure the AIFF meets regulatory expectations
• A move to preserve promotion–relegation credibility
• A chance to modernize lower-league production
• An opportunity for smaller, tech-driven companies to enter Indian football

For clubs, the financial picture still remains difficult. For the AIFF, it is a lifeline. For the Rights Holder, it is a high-effort, low-margin project unless they innovate with a digital-first strategy, strong governance negotiations, and scalable technology.

The I-League Commercial Rights RFP (2026–2030) is a necessary correction in a moment of crisis. It reflects realism, regulatory compliance and structural urgency. But unless deeper reforms follow revenue sharing, club licensing enforcement, governance restructuring the financial foundation of Indian football will remain fragile.

Still, it is a chance to rebuild. A chance to stabilize. And perhaps, a chance to reshape the pyramid from the bottom upward. 

Credit to FNI on X