Indian Super League

ISL to start Feb 14 with all clubs participating, says Sports Minister

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday announced that the Indian Super League (ISL), which was on pause due to the lack of a commercial partner, will start on February 14, ending a crisis that paralysed Indian football for close to six months. The ISL, which used to start in September, will feature all 14 clubs, including Mohun Bagan and East bengal, which were opposed to the financial model suggested by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The second division I-League, which was also on pause for the same reason, will be held "around the same time" with all 11 clubs in participation. "There was lot of speculation regarding ISL but today government, the football federation and all 14 clubs, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal included, had a meeting and we have decided that the ISL will start on February 14. All clubs will participate," Mandaviya announced in a brief statement flanked by CEOs of ISL clubs. Also joining him at the long-awaited resolution table was under-fire All

Rs 25 crore AIFF-backed pool revives ISL after commercial partner void

Government intervention unlocks a Rs 25 crore central pool to restart the Indian Super League after the absence of a commercial partner forced a pause.

No participation fee, AIFF covers finances for ISL restart, clubs demand

Thirteen of the 14 Indian Super League (ISL) clubs on Thursday told All India Football Federation (AIFF) that they "may be ready and willing" to take part in the delayed 2025-26 season if there is no participation fee and the national body takes financial responsibility for the organisational and operational costs of running the truncated competition. Putting conditions on their participation in the ISL, the clubs also requested the national federation to furnish "a clear, time-bound roadmap for execution of the long-term plan, including defined timelines for appointment of a commercial partner and/or broadcaster, finalisation of the league's revenue, governance, and risk-sharing framework, and transition to a financially self-sustaining competition model consistent with statutory governance norms". The ISL clubs also urged the AIFF to actively seek commercial or institutional support from the Government of India to minimise costs and help make the 2025-26 season sustainable. "Upon

AIFF proposes 20-season ownership and full operations takeover of ISL

Sources close to the process indicate that AIFF wants to bring stability and uniformity to league operations while strengthening the competitive ecosystem

We need the long-term plan, not isolation: ISL clubs urge AIFF in letter

The disagreement stemmed from the expiry of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between AIFF and its former commercial partner

End of an ISL chapter: City Group exits Mumbai City FC ownership

City Football Group, which owns several top clubs worldwide including English Premier League giants Manchester City, has pulled out of its association with Mumbai City FC amid uncertainty over the future of the Indian Super League, according to sources. The City group acquired a 65 per cent stake in Mumbai City FC in 2019. Mumbai City FC are one of the most successful teams in the history of ISL, winning four titles, which includes two League Winners Shields and two ISL Cups. "Mumbai City FC have bought over the shares of City Football Group," a reliable source privy to the development told PTI without elaborating. With the latest development, Mumbai City FC's ownership may return to Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor and businessman Bimal Parekh.

ISL franchises propose club-led ISL structure, AIFF to remain regulator

The proposal was submitted to AIFF and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on the final day of the deadline given to clubs to outline a consortium-led framework

ISL clubs tell AIFF current situation could make operations untenable soon

Twelve Indian Super League (ISL) clubs on Thursday urged the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to resolve the crisis in the domestic game without any further delay, saying that the current situation risks rendering their "ongoing operations untenable". The Marketing Rights Agreement (MRA) between the AIFF and its commercial partner Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) -- which organises ISL -- ends on December 8, and after that the top-tier league will be left without a commercial framework or operational certainty going forward. "While majority of the clubs have continued to honour salaries and contractual dues to players and staff in good faith, the current position is not merely challenging it is approaching commercial impossibility and risks rendering ongoing operations untenable," the clubs said in a letter to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey. The 12 ISL clubs are FC Goa, Sporting Club Delhi, NorthEast United FC, Jamshedpur FC, Bengaluru FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, ...

ISL crisis: Mohun Bagan suspend operations, EB appeal BCCI for funds

Reigning Indian Super League champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Saturday suspended all their football activities indefinitely a day after the AIFF failed to receive a single bid for ISL's commercial rights, and said they will review contracts of players and support staff next month. Late on Friday, the AIFF announced that it had not received any bid for the commercial rights of the already delayed ISL, leaving the future of the country's domestic football into disarray. "Our players were to assemble on Monday for the camp from next day. But now our camp has been suspended indefinitely till there is clarity on the Indian Super League, a Mohun Bagan official told PTI. "Now that the season is delayed with uncertainty on ISL, we will review all contracts next month. But we have not stopped anybody's salary, everyone is paid, the official added. The AIFF had floated the Request for Proposals on October 16 for a 15-year contract to monetise the league's commercial rights. The submissio

Indian Super League's bid void leaves AIFF staring at uncertain future

The AIFF's call for bids, issued on October 16, was for a 15-year contract that would have given the winning entity exclusive control over the League's media and commercial rights.

Sporting Club Delhi launched, replaces Hyderabad FC as capital's top team

The national capital will have a new top-flight club of the country as Sporting Club Delhi was launched on Saturday after the rebranding of Indian Super League side Hyderabad FC. Last year, Jindal Football Private Limited, a part of BC Jindal Group, acquired Hyderabad FC from the earlier owners, and decided to shift base to Delhi from 2025-26 season. This marks the return of an ISL club in the national capital after the Delhi Dynamos, which featured in the inaugural edition of the top-tier league in 2014, shifted base to Bhubaneswar in 2019 and rechristened Odisha FC. Sporting Club Delhi will take the place of Hyderabad FC in the Super Cup in Goa beginning October 25. The fixtures have already been announced and the All India Football Federation is expected to replace Hyderabad FC by the new name of Sporting Club Delhi. The unveiling of Sporting Club Delhi marks the beginning of a new chapter for football in the Delhi NCR region and India. The club will represent inclusivity, ...

AIFF, FSDL respond to SC's resolution, ISL 2025 likely to start in December

The AIFF informed the court that the tender process would be completed by October 15, 2025, providing certainty for stakeholders

ISL 2025 likely to start on October 24 amid AIFF-FSDL talks: Report

Under the terms of the existing deal, FSDL pays ₹50 crore annually to AIFF for commercial rights associated with both the ISL and the Indian national teams.

Will Cristiano Ronaldo play in India? Al Nassr to face FC Goa in ACL 2

Al Nassr, despite boasting stars like Ronaldo, missed out on qualification for the top-tier AFC Champions League Elite after finishing third in the Saudi Pro League.

Chennaiyin FC suspends operations due to uncertainty surrounding ISL

Indian club football appeared to be in complete crisis as Chennaiyin FC on Wednesday suspended its operations in view of the uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League, days after Bengaluru FC and Odisha FC decided to stop paying salaries to their first-team players and staff. Chennaiyin's decision came a day before a crucial meeting between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) top brass and eight ISL clubs on Thursday. Chennaiyin FC is, however, unlikely to have a representation in the meeting as the club is not among the signatories calling for such a move. "In the light of the continuing uncertainty surrounding the future of the ISL, Chennaiyin FC has taken the extremely difficult decision to temporarily pause club operations," the Chennai-based club said on its social media handle. "These are never easy decisions to make, and ours has come after much thoughtful consideration and careful deliberation. The challenges of being a stakeholder in Indian football are well ...

Indian Super League: Caught in offside trap, waiting for SC to resume play

Uncertainty over renewal of 15-year master rights deal halts India's top league

Manolo Marquez to continue with FC Goa after stepping down as India coach

After stepping down as Indian men's football team head coach earlier this month, Spaniard Manolo Marquez on Friday re-joined FC Goa to helm the club for the 2025-26 season. FC Goa announced that Marquez has signed to continue as the head coach for the upcoming season, his third at the club. "No one forgets the Don and the Don never forgets home. Welcome Back Boss," FC Goa posted on their social media handle. I was very happy during the previous two seasons, where the team showed consistent improvement each year. The level of organisation that the club operates with is not commonly observed in Indian club football, making FC Goa a very special club, Marquez said of his return in a club statement. It was clear for me that if I were to continue in India, it had to be with FC Goa, he added. The Indian Super League, the country's top-tier competition is, however, on "hold" due to the uncertainty over the issue of the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement -- to expire on December 8 --

Indian Super League: Punjab FC extend Leon Augustine's contract until 2027

Punjab FC on Friday announced the extension of the contract of Leon Augustine ahead of the upcoming Indian Super League season. The versatile player will remain at the club until 2027. Leon's extension is in line with the club's intent to retain its core and continue building a competitive squad for the season with Leon expected to feature in head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis's side. The 26-year old Leon signed for The Shers in the 2023-24 season and will continue his journey with the club after some impressive performances last season, where he played in multiple positions across the field for the club. After making only four total appearances in his first season at the club, Leon made 20 appearances in the ISL last season, playing 1020 minutes and scoring once against Odisha FC. Speaking on the contract extensions of the players, head coach Panagiotis Dilimperis said, "Leon is a hardworking and versatile player who brings great value to our squad, both in attack and in defence.

India's football ecosystem is scared with uncertainty: Chhetri on ISL pause

Former captain and top striker Sunil Chhetri on Wednesday said the current state of "uncertainty" in Indian football is very concerning and the sport's ecosystem is "worried, hurt, and scared" by the top-tier ISL being put on hold indefinitely. Chhetri, who turns up for Bengaluru FC in the league, said he has been inundated with phone calls and messages expressing apprehensions about the future of the sport in the country. "It began with worrying about how I am on borrowed time with what I have left in the tank. But speaking with players from across clubs, I've realised that my selfish problem isn't as important," the 40-year-old Chhetri posted on X. "The current situation that Indian football finds itself in, is very concerning. I've received a flurry of texts from players, staff members, physios, masseurs - not just from my club, but from other clubs as well. "Everybody in the Indian football ecosystem is worried, hurt, scared about the uncertainty we are faced with," he added.

ISL 2025-2026 season put 'on hold' due to uncertainty over MRA renewal

The Indian Super League on Friday announced that it has put the 2025-26 season "on hold" due to uncertainty surrounding the renewal of Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the event organisers and the All India Football Federation. The country's top-tier league normally runs from September to April, and the current MRA between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), which organises the event, and the AIFF is scheduled to expire on December 8, 2025, by which the ISL would be into its third month. "In the absence of a confirmed contractual framework beyond December, we find ourselves unable to effectively plan, organise, or commercialise the 2025-26 ISL season. "Given this situation, we regret to inform you that we are currently not in a position to proceed with the 2025-26 ISL season and are placing it on hold until further clarity emerges on the contractual structure beyond end of current MRA term. "We assure you that this decision has not been taken lightly," FSDL said in a .