13 clubs complete second instalment of participation fee for ISL 2026-27
Churchill Brothers have also paid the complete participation fee for ISL 2026-27.
Thirteen out of fourteen Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have completed their second instalment of the participation fee for the 2026-27 season.
The second instalment was due on August 14, with every club required to pay ₹55 lakh as part of the total annual participation fee of ₹1.10 crore.
Churchill Brothers is also among the 13 clubs to have paid the participation fee in full after Tata Steel agreed to transfer its entire stake in Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited (JFSPL) to the Goan club earlier on Friday.
The deal, which is still subject to approval from the All India Football Federation (AIFF), includes Jamshedpur FC’s ISL sporting licence. Churchill Brothers will also take over the contracts of 12 players and two coaches from September 2026.
Meanwhile, at the time of writing, Diamond Harbour are the only club yet to make the second payment. Their first instalment was adjusted against pending prize money owed to them.
Jamshedpur FC’s exit leave a major void in ISL
Jamshedpur FC‘s decision to withdraw from the ISL 2026-27 season created a major vacancy in the competition.
The Tata Steel-owned club announced on July 31 that it would not participate in the upcoming season. The decision came after the club had sought additional time from the AIFF to decide on its participation under the league’s new club-led structure.
Jamshedpur had initially been among the clubs expected to participate. However, the club did not complete the first ₹55 lakh payment by the extended deadline and subsequently confirmed its withdrawal.
The announcement brought an end, at least in its original form, to Jamshedpur FC’s presence in the ISL. The club had been part of the league since 2017 and won the League Shield in the 2021-22 season.
However, the situation changed dramatically on August 14.
Tata Steel approved the sale of its entire 100% stake in JFSPL to Churchill Brothers Sports Club Private Limited for a nominal ₹100. The stake comprises 4.08 crore equity shares.
The transaction is expected to be completed by August 31, provided all the necessary conditions, including AIFF approval, are fulfilled.
Will Churchill Brothers play in ISL 2026-27?
Churchill Brothers’ payment of the participation fee completely is another strong indication that the Goan club are preparing to play in the ISL 2026-27 season.
The club has taken over JFSPL from Tata Steel, meaning the existing ISL sporting licence associated with Jamshedpur FC will move to Churchill Brothers in accordance with AIFF regulations.
The two-time I-League champions have been seeking a route into the ISL after a controversial end to their 2024-25 campaign.
Churchill Brothers finished at the top of the I-League table that season and were initially declared champions. However, Inter Kashi successfully challenged the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, after which the Varanasi-based club were recognised as champions and promoted to the ISL.
Churchill Brothers subsequently did not feature in the following I-League season. Their latest move now gives them an opportunity to reach India’s top division through the acquisition of JFSPL.
However, the ownership transfer is not yet completely finalised. Tata Steel’s agreement with Churchill Brothers remains subject to AIFF approval and other customary conditions.
If approved, Churchill Brothers will become the second Goan club in the ISL alongside FC Goa.
How much is the second ISL participation fee instalment?
The second instalment is ₹55 lakh. Clubs are required to pay ₹1.10 crore in total for the 2026-27 season, split into two equal instalments with the deadline on August 14.
Which ISL club has not paid the second instalment?
Diamond Harbour are currently the only club yet to make the second payment. Their first instalment was adjusted against pending prize money.
Have Churchill Brothers paid ISL 2026-27 participation fee?
Yes. Churchill Brothers have paid the complete participation fee.
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A sports journalist for over 4 years, Triyasha has been covering Indian Football and Kanbaddi meticulously, She specialises in in-depth knowledge of the game, the players and the footballing infrastructure and heritage in India.