Sony & YouTube set to broadcast ISL from 2026-27 season
All parties have reached an agreement, and clubs will gain access to broadcast and streaming data for the first time.
The Indian Super League (ISL) governing council has picked Sony and Google to broadcast and stream the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons, Khel Now can reveal.
Sony Sports Network are set to acquire the satellite television rights for the Indian subcontinent, while Google will stream every match on YouTube in India and worldwide..
Sony will also stream matches on its OTT platform, SonyLIV, in India.
All parties reached an agreement in the last few hours. Final paperwork is still pending and should be completed soon.
Why the clubs split the rights
The arrangement reflects a division among the clubs themselves.
“Many clubs wanted to go to YouTube for wider reach, but a few clubs wanted to keep traditional media channels to make sure sponsorship did not take a hit, so finally ISL clubs were able to negotiate with the broadcasters and finalise Sony Sports Network”, a source close to the development told Khel Now.
The result gives the club-led league a presence on both traditional television and India’s biggest video platform, and hands YouTube seven months of live Indian football.
Clubs get their own data for the first time
As part of the agreement, clubs will have access to all broadcast and streaming data, including overall and state-wise reach.
Khel Now understands it is the first time clubs will have that information available to them.
What Sony and Google bring to the ISL
Catch Every Update, Anytime, Anywhere
Sony Sports Network has built a strong football portfolio in India, carrying several major European competitions including the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and Nations League.
Sony is also home to the Durand Cup, one of India’s oldest football tournaments, and recently acquired the broadcast rights for India’s friendlies against Panama, Brazil and Uruguay.
Google has been investing heavily in live sports on YouTube. It has partnered with properties including the FIFA World Cup globally and, in India, the Prime Volleyball League and the Tamil Nadu Premier League, using them to showcase new platform features.
ISL 2026-27 kicks off on October 10
The 2026-27 season will begin on October 10 and run until May 2027. The competition returns to a home-and-away format after the shortened 2025-26 campaign used a single-leg league structure.
Thirteen clubs will compete. East Bengal, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters, FC Goa, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC, Odisha FC, Punjab FC, Inter Kashi, Chennaiyin FC, Churchill Brothers and Sporting Club Delhi will take part.
Jamshedpur FC have withdrawn from the ISL, with Churchill Brothers taking over their sporting licence. Churchill were relegated to IFL 2 last season but will now compete in the top tier.
ISL 2026-27 returns to home-and-away format
The season will feature 163 matches including the playoffs. The league phase follows the traditional home-and-away format, with every club facing the others twice.
The club that finishes top of the standings will be crowned Shield Winner and recognised as the official ISL champion. The league winner also secures a place in Asian competition.
The playoffs return after last season’s single-leg format. The top six teams will qualify and compete for the ISL Cup.
The 2026-27 season will operate without relegation. Diamond Harbour FC earned promotion by winning the Indian Football League 2025-26, but failed to meet the administrative requirements for ISL participation.
Diamond Harbour will not take up their promoted place. The club will be placed at the bottom of the standings by default and relegated back to the Indian Football League for 2027-28. The league therefore continues with 13 clubs rather than adding a replacement.
Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: EA Sports signs new four-year deal with ISL; East Bengal to miss FC 27 licensing
ISL club-led model lands major commercial deals
The 2026-27 campaign marks the start of the club-led structure, under which participating clubs share responsibility for the competition’s commercial and operational side.
The league has already secured several agreements since the new structure took effect. As Khel Now reported earlier, the ISL and EA Sports have agreed to a new four-year licensing deal that keeps the league in EA Sports FC games for the duration of the partnership.
The league has also signed a four-year agreement with Sportradar worth around ₹57 crore, keeping Sportradar as the ISL’s official data and integrity partner until 2030.
Nivia Sports has extended its association through a new two-year agreement, continuing as the league’s official ball and equipment partner.
As Khel Now revealed Wednesday evening, ISL also agreed to a title sponsorship deal with MG Motors worth around ₹25 crore.
Those deals include club-led partnerships across gaming, data, integrity, and matchday equipment, alongside the media rights arrangement.
Also Read: Exclusive: ISL & Sportradar sign new four-year deal worth over ₹57 crore
When does the ISL 2026-27 season start?
October 10, 2026. The season runs until May 2027.
How many teams are in the ISL 2026-27 season?
13. East Bengal, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters, FC Goa, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC, Odisha FC, Punjab FC, Inter Kashi, Chennaiyin FC, Churchill Brothers and Sporting Club Delhi.
How many matches will be played in ISL 2026-27?
163, including the playoffs. The league phase returns to a home-and-away format, with every club facing the others twice.
Why is Diamond Harbour FC not playing in the ISL?
Diamond Harbour won the Indian Football League 2025-26 and earned promotion, but did not meet the administrative requirements for ISL participation. They will be placed bottom of the standings by default and return to the Indian Football League for 2027-28.
Is there relegation from the ISL in 2026-27?
No. The season operates without relegation from the ISL.
Where can I watch ISL 2026-27?
On television on Sony Sports Network across the Indian subcontinent. Every match will also stream on YouTube and on SonyLIV in India.
Who has the ISL digital streaming rights?
Digital rights are not exclusive in India. Google will stream every match on YouTube in India and worldwide, while Sony will also stream matches on SonyLIV within India.
Will ISL clubs get viewership data?
Yes. Under the new agreement, clubs will have access to all broadcast and streaming data, including overall and state-wise reach, for the first time.
Can I watch ISL 2026-27 outside India?
Yes. YouTube will stream every match worldwide. Sony’s television and SonyLIV coverage is limited to the Indian subcontinent.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.