AIFF outlines revised ISL 2025–26 timeline; clubs asked to pay participation fee by Jan 12
ISL is set to kick off on February 14.
The Indian Super League (ISL) will officially return on February 14, 2026, ending months of uncertainty around India’s top-tier club competition. Shortly after the announcement, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) sent a detailed letter to ISL clubs. The communication outlined a revised schedule and clarified the immediate roadmap for the 2025–26 season.
Moreover, the letter reaffirmed AIFF’s intent to run the league in cooperation with participating clubs. It also set strict deadlines to keep preparations on track. AIFF aims to finalise broadcast partners, commercial rights, and fixtures well before the opening match. Therefore, the next few weeks will be decisive for the smooth execution of the season.
Revised ISL 2025–26 schedule shared with clubs
| Serial No | Particulars | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Letter to AFC for exemption. | 12 January 2026 |
| 2 | Publishing RFP for securing broadcast partner for the ISL season 2025–26. | 14 January 2026 |
| 3 | Publishing RFP for securing commercial partner for the ISL season 2025–26. | 15 January 2026 |
| 4 | Deadline for submission of bids in response to RFP for securing broadcast partner for the ISL season 2025–26. | 29 January 2026 |
| 5 | Deadline for submission of bids in response to RFP for securing commercial partner for the ISL season 2025–26. | 30 January 2026 |
| 6 | Onboarding of broadcast partners for the ISL season 2025–26. | 5 February 2026 |
| 7 | Onboarding of commercial partner for the ISL season 2025–26. | 5 February 2026 |
| 8 | Finalisation of long-term structure and governance proposal for the ISL. | 20 January 2026 |
| 9 | Start of ISL season 2025–26. | 14 February 2026 |
| 10 | Publishing RFP for securing long-term commercial partner for the ISL season 2026–27 onwards. | 20 February 2026 |
| 11 | Finalisation and execution of twenty (20) year agreements for participation in the ISL. | 15 February 2026 |
| 12 | Finalisation of the long-term commercial partner for the ISL season 2026–27 onwards. | 15 March 2026 |
| 13 | Finalisation of logistics and operational aspects for the 2026–27 season of the ISL. | 25 May 2026 |
| 14 | Finalisation of club licensing requirements, financial fair play models and salary cap for the ISL season 2026–27 onwards. | 1 April 2026 |
Also Read: ISL 2025-26 starting date announced, I-League to run parallel
ISL 2025-26 to be played in shorter format
Alongside the revised timeline, AIFF also reiterated key details about the league format and spending model. The ISL 2025–26 season will feature 14 clubs. Each team will play a single home-and-away round, leading to a total of 91 matches.
Furthermore, AIFF confirmed it would coordinate with venue authorities and the Asian Football Confederation. This includes seeking exemptions required to ensure the season runs without regulatory hurdles.
Financially, the league will operate on a total budget of ₹24.26 crore. AIFF will contribute ₹9.77 crore upfront. Meanwhile, each participating club will add ₹1 crore. The clubs have been asked to pay the fees by January 12 to confirm their participation and further details.
The remaining funds will be used from the Annual Calendar for Training and Competitions (ACTC) norms, which the Union Sports Ministry earmarks for sports federations annually.
The federation asked clubs to confirm their home venues by noon on January 12, 2026, to finalise fixtures and broadcast planning. Additionally, AIFF committed to sharing draft frameworks for ISL governance and participation agreements once confirmations and deposits are received.
Other competitions will run in parallel as well
At the same time, parallel competitions will continue. The I-League will run alongside the ISL, while women’s and lower-division leagues will also be conducted as planned. An interesting detail was the merger of I-League Division 2 and 3, in which 40 teams across five zones of the country will compete.
The Indian Women’s League (IWL) Division 1 and 2 will also take place. AIFF has allocated Rs. 3.2 Crore for the I-League and 100% funding for the IWL.
When does the ISL 2025–26 season start?
The ISL 2025–26 season begins on February 14, 2026.
How many teams will play in ISL 2025–26?
The ISL 2025–26 season will feature 14 clubs. Each team will play a single home-and-away round, leading to a total of 91 matches.
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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.