AIFF’s ₹24.26 crore ISL 2025–26 plan: Clubs pushed to say “yes or no” amid uncertainty

Clubs were cornered in a high-stakes meeting as AIFF pushed for a binary decision on its proposed league structure, leaving little room for discussion or negotiation.

With the 2025–26 Indian Super League (ISL) season still in limbo, the All India Football Federation has drawn up an internal budget to run the league itself. The plan was presented to ISL clubs during a virtual meeting today with the Joint Secretary of Sports. What it outlines is not a revival strategy, but a cost-cutting exercise driven by urgency rather than long-term thinking.

AIFF has proposed two formats for the upcoming season.

The first is a single-leg home-and-away model, projected at ₹24.26 crore, where clubs would host a limited number of matches in their home cities. Under this proposal, AIFF claims it will bear 40 per cent of the total cost, amounting to ₹9.70 crore.

However, only 10% of that contribution is guaranteed AIFF money. The remaining 30% assumes the presence of a commercial partner, one that AIFF has yet to secure, and the last attempt drew zero bids.

As one source tracking the process put it, “Out of the ₹9.70 crore contribution, AIFF will recover most of the amount because clubs are being asked to pay ₹1 crore each as franchise fees. In real terms, the federation will barely put anything from its own pocket.”

The second option, proposed by clubs, is a centralised venue format, estimated at ₹38 crore. Under this model, all matches would be staged in a single city, most likely Goa, using two or three stadiums, similar to the bio-bubble seasons during the COVID-19 outbreak.

AIFF has indicated it would contribute up to 40 per cent of the cost for this model, capped at ₹25 crore, but even that figure hinges on financial clarity that does not exist yet.

ISL clubs are cornered in today’s meeting, with political pressure applied to force agreement on the AIFF model.AIFF official: “It’s time for yes or no. If we have only five clubs, we go with five clubs. Nothing else to be discussed, either yes or no.”#IndianFootball #ISL

— Ashish Negi (@7negiashish) January 6, 2026

The presentation of the ₹24.26 crore budget was not positioned as a discussion document, but as a take-it-or-leave-it proposal. Clubs were given limited room to negotiate structural or commercial concerns, despite the plan being based on assumptions about sponsorship, broadcast partners, and franchise fees that have yet to materialise.

“ISL clubs were put under strong pressure to immediately accept or reject AIFF’s proposed model for running the league, with officials demanding a straight “yes or no” response,” source added

For several clubs, the concern is not just the size of the budget but the manner in which the decision is being driven. With no confirmed broadcaster, no commercial partner, and no clarity on revenue-sharing, a forced binary choice risks transferring all operational and financial liability onto the clubs.

Expense Head	Amount (₹ crore)	Percentage of Total
Production & Transmission	9.77	40.3%
Prize Money (Central + Individual)	5.82	24.0%
Digital & Marketing	2.24	9.2%
Central Administration – Governance	2.40	9.9%
Match Officials	2.11	8.7%
Integrity, Anti-Doping & Legal	1.45	6.0%
Central Administrative Expenses – Commercial	0.47	1.90%
Youth Leagues	0.00	0%
Parachute Payments	0.00	0%
Total	24.26	100%

Also Read: ISL 2025-26 starting date announced, I-League to run parallel

The most concerning aspect of both models is broadcast production

The AIFF has earmarked just ₹9.77 crore for production and transmission under the lower-cost option. In recent seasons, broadcast and transmission-related expenses alone have hovered around ₹70 crore per season. Such a drastic reduction points to a visible dip in production quality, which could directly affect broadcaster interest and, in turn, sponsorship value.

Prize money has been fixed at ₹5.82 crore, while governance, refereeing, digital marketing and legal expenses account for the remaining outlay. There is no allocation for youth leagues or parachute payments.

The federation is targeting a start date of 15 February 2026. Broadcaster tenders are expected to be floated and finalised within weeks, leaving little room for delays or missteps.

For now, the numbers suggest survival mode. Nothing more.

Date	Activity
5 January 2026	Finalisation of competition format for ISL 2025–26 and confirmation of club participation
7 January 2026	Letter to AFC seeking exemptions (including minimum match requirements)
10 January 2026	Issue of RFP for Broadcast Partner / Commercial Partner for ISL 2025–26
20 January 2026	Finalisation of long-term league structure and governance proposal
25 January 2026	Deadline for submission of bids for Broadcast Partner / Commercial Partner (2025–26)
31 January 2026	Onboarding of Broadcast Partner / Commercial Partner for ISL 2025–26
15 February 2026	Proposed start date of ISL 2025–26 season
20 February 2026	Tendering process begins for long-term (20-year) commercial partner
20 March 2026	Deadline for submission of 20-year commercial partnership agreements
31 March 2026	Finalisation of long-term commercial partner
1 April 2026	Finalisation of club licensing, financial fair play models and salary cap
25 May 2026	Finalisation of all aspects of the 2026–27 season

Taken together, this is not a blueprint for rebuilding the ISL. It is an emergency plan designed to get the season off the ground at the lowest possible cost.

Whether it merely keeps the league alive or further erodes the ISL as a commercial and sporting product hinges on one unanswered question: can AIFF realistically secure a commercial and broadcast partner in time?

Sports ministry confirms ISL, I-League start date

Following this meeting Union Sports Minister Mansukh L. Mandaviya has confirmed that the ISL will begin its 2025–26 season on 14 February (Saturday), with all 14 clubs formally committing to take part. The I-League will also run parallelly from the same date.

Speaking to the press on regarding the start date, Union Sports Minister Mansukh L. Mandaviya said, “This is happy news for football lovers in the country, our players, and everyone associated with football. This league is being organized with the objective of promoting football in the country, improving the country’s performance in football, and discovering good players through the league.”

He also added, “The ISL was delayed owning to some court cases. However, we have been able to speak to all stakeholders, and the issue has been resolved, ISL will be held this year. It is the vision of the Honourable PM that sports in India should not suffer and I am glad that we could resolve this.”

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