The Indian Super League (ISL) 2025–26 season is set to kick off on February 14, bringing an end to a prolonged period of uncertainty that had threatened the stability of the country’s top-tier men’s football competition.
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya made the announcement on Tuesday following an emergency meeting of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) with key stakeholders. The decision ensures that Indian football’s flagship league will go ahead with the participation of all 14 clubs, offering much-needed relief to players, clubs, broadcasters, and fans.
A League in Limbo
The ISL’s future had been under a cloud for several months after the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL)— the league’s organisers— expired in December 2025. Signed in 2010, the agreement governed the commercial and operational framework of the league, and its conclusion left the ISL without a long-term commercial partner.
While governance reforms, commercial sustainability, and long-term planning remain unresolved issues, all parties agreed that allowing the league to collapse would be detrimental to Indian football.
“The government, football federation and all 14 clubs had a meeting, and we have decided that the ISL will start on February 14. All clubs will participate,” Mandaviya announced, calling the decision a collective step taken in the interest of the sport.
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Indian Super League 2025–26: Key Details
The ISL 2025–26 season will feature:
- 14 teams
- 91 matches
- Single-leg home-and-away round-robin format
The full fixture list will be released at a later date, with logistical details still being finalised. The season was originally scheduled to begin on September 14, making the February start a significant delay, though one that provides a workable window to complete the competition while accommodating national team and continental commitments.
Since the 2019–20 season, the ISL has been recognised as India’s premier football league, replacing the I-League under a roadmap approved by the AIFF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The league also offers two AFC continental qualification spots, making its continuity critical for Indian clubs on the Asian stage.
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Financial Backing and Governance Changes
AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey confirmed the creation of a ₹25 crore central pool to ensure the smooth conduct of the ISL. While 10 percent of the fund will come from the AIFF and 30 percent was initially expected from a commercial partner, the federation will temporarily cover the shortfall.
“In all, the AIFF will contribute ₹14 crore for the ISL and about ₹3.2 crore for the I-League until a commercial partner is secured,” Chaubey said.
He also announced that a Governing Council Board will be formed in the future, empowered to take all commercial decisions related to the leagues— a move aimed at preventing similar crises going forward.
I-League to Resume in Truncated Format
The uncertainty had also placed the I-League on hold. It will now be conducted “around the same time” as the ISL, featuring:
- 11 teams
- 55 matches
- A shortened format
