All fourteen Indian Super League clubs have now confirmed their participation in writing. This formal confirmation ends months of uncertainty surrounding the delayed 2025-26 season. The league will kick off on February 14 as planned.
From Verbal to Written Confirmation
Earlier this month, only ten clubs had given a verbal agreement to participate. According to a PTI report, all fourteen clubs have now submitted written confirmations to the All India Football Federation. This step solidifies the league's foundation for the upcoming season.
Government Announcement and League Structure
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the February 14 start date last week. The top-tier ISL will feature a total of ninety-one matches. Teams will play on a home-and-away basis throughout the truncated season.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey stated that a Governing Council Board will manage the league. This board will have the power to make all commercial decisions. The federation asked clubs to submit their home venue details by Monday noon.
Budget and Commercial Framework
The proposed budget for this shortened season stands at Rs 24.26 crore. The AIFF will contribute Rs 9.77 crore, while each participating club will pay Rs 1 crore. The federation will share draft frameworks for governance and commercial rights soon.
AIFF plans to start work on fixtures immediately. They will also prepare participation agreements for the clubs. The federation seeks an exemption from the AFC regarding ACL 2 slots.
Ending the Limbo
The ISL 2025-26 season faced significant delays. Commercial partner FSDL, owned by the Reliance Group, put the league on hold last July. Uncertainty over the Master Rights Agreement between AIFF and FSDL caused the pause.
The MRA officially ended on December 8, 2025, after failed negotiations. A tender for a new commercial rights partner received no bids, adding to the challenges. Now, with all clubs confirmed, the path forward appears clear.
