Indian Super League 2025-26: The ISL (Indian Super League), which was put on hold due to the absence of a commercial partner, is scheduled to start on February 14, as confirmed by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday. As per the announcement by Mandaviya, all the clubs will feature in the tournament.
With this step, a long-standing issue finally got a resolution amid a huge outcry from players and fans alike. All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey explained the announcement after the Minister's announcement.
Also, the I-League, which was also on pause, will be held "around the same time" with all 11 clubs in participation.
"There was lot of speculation regarding ISL but today govt, football federation and 14 clubs, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal included had a meeting and we have decided that ISL will start February 14. All clubs will participate," Mandaviya announced.
ISL To Have 91 Matches, I-League To Contain 55 Matches
The Indian Super League is expected to feature 91 matches on a home-and-away basis, the logistics of which are still being worked out.
The I-League will be a truncated event with 55 matches.
"A Rs 25 crore central pool has been made for only the conduct of the ISL. 10 percent of this fund will come from AIFF, 30 percent was to come from a commercial partner but since we don't have on right now the AIFF will pitch in with that contribution," Chaubey said.
"In all, the AIFF will give Rs 14 crore for ISL and about 3.2 crore for I League till we find a commercial partner," he added.
Chaubey said a Governing Council Board will be formed to manage the Leagues eventually and it will be "empowered to take all commercial decisions."
The ISL 2025-26 was put on hold after the AIFF's commercial partner, FSDL, owned by the Reliance Group, engaged in direct conflict with the organisation over the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the two parties.
ALSO READ: Manchester United Sack Ruben Amorim With Immediate Effect, Darren Fletcher Named Interim Head Coach
The MRA ended on December 8, 2025, as negotiations fell through.
Later, a tender was floated for the selection of a commercial rights partner under the supervision of a Supreme Court-appointed committee, but much to AIFF's embarrassment, there were no takers for it.
Inputs from Agency