Indian Football League (IFL) takes major step forward with multi-platform broadcast deal for 2026-27 season
The 2026-27 IFL season will feature 11 teams.
In a significant expansion of its broadcast and streaming footprint, the Indian Football League (IFL) 2026-27 season will be accessible to fans across multiple television and digital platforms, with Zee Entertainment Enterprises and DD Sports coming on board as broadcast and streaming partners for the competition.
With this partnership, IFL hopes to reach a much wider audience demographic and break new grounds of viewership, surpassing previous season’s viewership of 17.56 million television viewers.
IFL expands broadcast reach with Zee, DD Sports and multiple digital platforms
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Doordarshan will continue its association with the league and will live telecast all matches of the season on DD Sports, while selected fixtures will also be telecast on Unite8 Sports.
On the digital front, all matches will be live streamed on Z5, WAVES, Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform. Fans can also live stream all matches for free on the official YouTube channel of Unite8 Sports.
The multi-platform distribution network aims to take IFL to a wider audience and make Indian football more accessible to fans across the country and also bring in new fans to the game.
First reactions to the expanded broadcast partnership
Speaking on the partnership, Nildeep Mondal, CEO, Indian Football League, said “The 2026-27 season represents an important step forward for the Indian Football League, both in terms of the competition on the pitch and the way we connect with football fans across the country. With Zee also joining as broadcast partners, and every match available across multiple digital and television platforms, we are taking a significant step towards making the league more accessible to audiences across India and help us connect with fans across different regions and demographics. We look forward to an exciting season and to building on the growing interest in Indian club football.”
The association brings together established broadcasting networks and digital platforms to provide comprehensive coverage of the competition throughout the season.
With DD Sports telecasting every match, the league will continue to benefit from DD’s extensive television reach, while the addition of Unite8 Sports will provide another television destination for selected fixtures. Zee’s association will further strengthen the league’s digital presence, with every match available to audiences through Z55 and Unite8 Sports YouTube channel.
Speaking on the announcement, Bavesh Janavlekar, Chief Business Officer, Zee Sports Network said, “For Indian football, the opportunity is to reach the right fans, everywhere they are. With Z5 and Unite8 Sports, we’re taking the IFL to football lovers across the country. This is a long-term commitment. Together with the IFL, we look forward to building a legacy for the league and for Indian football.”
Also speaking on the partnership, Mr. Larsing LD Sawyan, Managing Director, Shillong Lajong FC, said, “We are extremely excited to have Zee join us as our broadcasting partner for this season. Last year’s inaugural IFL had 1.6 times higher viewership than the ISL. The IFL is going to be broadcasted in multiple platforms including YouTube and we are confident that this season’s revolutionary club led model will usher a new era for Indian Domestic Football. Indian football will only develop once the leagues are strong and healthy and the coming together of stakeholders such as Zee with Indian Football League bodes well for football in India in the long run.”
The return to a full-fledged home-and-away season marks an important development for the competition, with each club set to play 20 league matches across the campaign.
The 11-team lineup brings together clubs from different footballing regions of the country, including new entrants Nagaland United SC and Samaleswari Sporting Club, further broadening the league’s geographical footprint.
Supported by an expanded broadcast network, the league aims to further strengthen its connection with football fans and take domestic club football to a wider audience.
Who are the broadcast partners for the Indian Football League 2026-27 season?
Zee Entertainment Enterprises and DD Sports have come on board as broadcast and streaming partners for the 2026-27 IFL season.
Where can fans watch the IFL 2026-27 matches live?
All matches will be available for live streaming on Z5, WAVES and the official Unite8 Sports YouTube channel. DD Sports will also telecast all the games, while selected fixtures will also be telecasted on Unite8 Sports.
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