FanCode bid biggest as AIFF opens technical bids for ISL 2025–26 media rights
JioStar, ABP Network, Two Circles, Monarch–PR Solution, Sportzworkz and KPS are also in fray as the evaluation begins
The long wait over the Indian Super League’s (ISL) 2025–26 broadcast future is finally nearing its end, with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) opening technical bids for the league’s media rights on Monday morning.
Interest in the tender has come from a wide range of broadcasters, digital platforms, production houses, and international sports consultancies, reflecting the fragmented yet competitive nature of the current Indian sports media market.
With the bid submission window now closed and technical bids opened at 11 AM, the process has entered a decisive phase that will determine how fans watch the ISL in the upcoming season.
AIFF had released the Request for Proposal (RFP) on January 18, 2026, completed the clarification process by January 28, and received final submissions before the February 1 deadline. The federation has now moved swiftly into the evaluation stage.
Breakdown of bids and packages applied for
According to sources tracking the process, FanCode has submitted the most comprehensive bid, applying for Packages A, B and D, which together cover world-feed production, linear broadcast and digital streaming rights.
UK-based sports consultancy Two Circles has applied for Packages C, D and E, indicating an interest in broadcast involvement, digital streaming and world-feed production, with a particular focus on markets outside India.
ABP Network has submitted bids for Packages D and E, while JioStar has applied only for Package D, signalling a digital-only approach.
Monarch, in partnership with PR Solution, has targeted Packages D and E, while Sportzworkz and KPS have limited their bids exclusively to Package E, which covers world-feed production.
“FanCode have submitted the biggest bid, covering everything, including TV and digital rights. ABP Network hinted at interest in a non-exclusive social media deal. Two Circles are keen on rights outside India, while last season’s broadcaster JioStar have bid only for digital rights,” a source tracking developments told Khel Now.
ISL media rights packages explained
- Package A: Production of world feed + linear TV broadcast + digital streaming
- Package B: Linear TV broadcast + digital streaming
- Package C: Linear TV broadcast only
- Package D: Digital streaming only
- Package E: World-feed production only
As previously reported by Khel Now, bids from Zee Sports and Sony Sports, despite both attending the pre-bid meeting, were not submitted. Sony had requested an extension, which AIFF declined, effectively ruling them out of this cycle.
How the broadcast partner will be selected
According to AIFF’s Request for Proposal (RFP), the winning bidder for the ISL 2025–26 media rights will be decided through a Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) process, not on price alone.
AIFF is following a two-stage evaluation process.
Stage 1: Technical Evaluation Comes First
All bids are first evaluated on technical capability, including:
- Broadcast and production experience
- Infrastructure and camera setup
- Platform reach (TV / OTT)
- Past delivery of professional sports leagues
Only bidders who score at least 70% in the technical evaluation (minimum 35 points) qualify for the next stage. Any bidder failing this threshold is eliminated, regardless of price.
Stage 2: Commercial Bids of Qualified Bidders
Only technically qualified bidders have their commercial bids opened.
- The bidder offering the highest licence/production fee gets a financial score of 100
- Other bidders are scored proportionally against the highest bid
Final Scoring Formula (70:30 Model)
AIFF will combine scores using the following weightage:
- 70% Technical Score
- 30% Financial Score
Final Score = (0.7 × Technical Score) + (0.3 × Financial Score)
The bidder with the highest total score is declared the Selected Bidder.
Financial bids for ISL 2025-26 media rights will be opened only for technically qualified bidders. The highest financial offer receives full marks, with other bids scored proportionately. Final scores are calculated using the combined 70:30 formula.
In the event of a tie, the bidder with the higher technical score will be ranked higher. If the tie persists, the winner will be decided by a draw of lots.
AIFF, along with the Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC), is currently scrutinising the technical bids, with the opening of financial bids scheduled for 5 PM later today, a step that should finally bring clarity to the ISL’s broadcast future for the 2025–26 season.
Who submitted bids for ISL 2025–26 media rights?
FanCode, JioStar, ABP Network, UK-based Two Circles, Monarch (with PR Solution), Sportzworkz and KPS have submitted bids.
Which bidder has submitted the biggest bid?
FanCode has submitted the most comprehensive bid, covering production, TV broadcast and digital streaming rights.
What happened to Zee Sports and Sony Sports?
Although both attended the pre-bid meeting, their bids were not confirmed. Sony’s request for an extension was rejected by AIFF.
When will the final decision be known?
Financial bids are scheduled to be opened at 5 PM today, after which the winning bidder can be identified.
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Ashish Negi is the co-founder and CEO of Khel Now. He graduated from LPU with a degree in computer engineering in 2015. He started the Indian Football Team Facebook page in 2013 and gifted it to AIFF when it had 500K likes in 2015. He has been following and covering Indian Football & Sports since 2007. Follow Ashish for all the updates on Indian Football & Sports