ISL 2025-26: After months of uncertainty, the Indian Super League (ISL) could finally see the light of day, with the 2025-26 season tentatively scheduled to begin on February 5.
The proposed timeline emerged
following a crucial meeting between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and representatives of the league's 14 clubs, as Indian football looks to steady itself after a prolonged administrative impasse.
According to a report by Sportstar the AIFF has put forward a revised framework under which the federation would take full ownership and operational control of the ISL. Under this model, the AIFF would retain a 10 per cent share of the league's total revenue.
Half of the revenue pool would be distributed among the participating clubs, while 30 per cent would be set aside for a prospective commercial partner.
The proposed structure also outlines a budget of ₹70 crore for the league's upcoming season. Each club would be required to pay a uniform participation fee of ₹1 crore annually to the federation. Significantly, the new model also includes the introduction of promotion and relegation, a long-standing demand aimed at aligning Indian football with global league structures.
Caetano Fernandes, president of the Goa Football Association and a member of the committee tasked with drafting the new league model, described the discussions as encouraging. "We have proposed our models to the clubs, and we hope to start the league by February 5. The clubs have asked for a day or two for their deliberation, and we are optimistic that the league will begin very soon," he said.
The ISL has remained in limbo since July after negotiations over the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited reached a stalemate. The situation escalated to the Supreme Court, which later oversaw the floating of a fresh tender for the league's commercial rights. However, that process failed to attract any bidders, deepening the crisis.
Amid fan protests and reports suggesting uncertainty over club ownerships, including Mumbai City FC, the clubs collectively sought clarity from the federation. In a letter sent by Mohun Bagan Super Giant CEO Vinay Chopra, they urged the AIFF to first present a clear long-term roadmap before rolling out short-term measures, while reiterating their preference for perpetual operational and commercial control of the league - a proposal the AIFF General Body recently turned down.
With discussions now reaching a critical stage, the coming days could determine whether Indian football's premier competition finally returns to the pitch.
