AIFF confirms ISL 2026-27 to go ahead with 13 clubs

ISL 2026-27 will be played in a double round-robin format on a home-and-away basis.

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 season will go ahead with 13 participating clubs, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has confirmed.

The development comes after Diamond Harbour FC failed to complete their second participation fee payment by the final deadline given to them by the federation.

“The All India Football Federation, on behalf of the AIFF and the participating clubs, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, confirmed that the Indian Super League 2026-27 season will proceed with 13 participating clubs, playing in a double round-robin format on a home-and-away basis,” the statement from AIFF read.

As Khel Now revealed earlier, the AIFF had given Diamond Harbour until 2 pm on August 19 to clear their pending ₹55 lakh payment. The club have now missed that deadline, meaning the ISL will proceed without them.

The new season is scheduled to begin on October 10, 2026, and will mark the start of the league’s new club-led model.

Diamond Harbour miss final deadline for participation fee

Diamond Harbour had initially missed the August 14 deadline for the second instalment of their participation fee.

The club had already completed the first instalment after the AIFF adjusted ₹55 lakh against the prize money owed to them following their Indian Football League 2025-26 title win. However, the remaining ₹55 lakh was still outstanding.

The club subsequently requested more time from the AIFF. The federation granted them a final extension until 2 pm on August 19. That deadline has now passed without Diamond Harbour completing the payment.

The AIFF has consequently confirmed that the 2026-27 ISL season will proceed with 13 clubs.

13 clubs complete participation fee process

The AIFF had set the annual ISL participation fee at ₹1.10 crore for the 2026-27 season. The amount was divided into two equal instalments of ₹55 lakh each.

Thirteen clubs, including Churchill Brothers, completed the payment process after paying the second instalment on August 14. Diamond Harbour were the only club left with an outstanding payment.

With their final deadline now expired, the league will move forward with 13 participating clubs. This also means no new team will be added to replace Diamond Harbour for the upcoming campaign.

Jamshedpur FC exit, Churchill Brothers step in

The ISL will also have a different lineup from the previous season following Jamshedpur FC’s withdrawal.

Jamshedpur announced their decision to leave the league on July 31 after previously seeking additional time to decide on their participation under the new club-led structure.

The situation changed when Tata Steel agreed to transfer its entire stake in Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited (JFSPL) to Churchill Brothers Sports Club for a nominal ₹100.

The transaction includes Jamshedpur FC’s ISL sporting licence.

Churchill Brothers have also paid the complete ₹1.10 crore participation fee for the 2026-27 season.

Their entry, however, remains subject to the required approvals for the ownership transfer.

The Goan club will also take over the contracts of 12 players and two coaches from September 2026.

ISL 2026-27 to begin on October 10

The 2026-27 ISL season is scheduled to begin on October 10. It will be a significant campaign for Indian football as the league enters its new club-led era.

The new model gives participating clubs greater control over the commercial and operational side of the competition. The AIFF, meanwhile, will continue to oversee sporting regulations, licensing and governance.

The framework has been agreed upon for an initial four-year period. The clubs will also have the opportunity to review the arrangement after two years.

After a truncated single-leg season last edition, ISL 2026-27 will be played in a double round-robin format on a home-and-away basis. The longer season will also provide clubs with a more stable competitive calendar after the truncated previous campaign.

Also Read: Zee & Sony Sports in direct talks with ISL clubs over media rights

ISL clubs still searching for media rights partner

While the league has now settled the question of its participating clubs, the media rights situation remains unresolved.

As Khel Now reported earlier, the ISL’s media rights tender attracted limited interest, with only one bid submitted for the upcoming four-season cycle.

The clubs have consequently opened direct discussions with major broadcasters, including Zee and Sony Sports, over potential arrangements.

Google has also held discussions with the clubs about the possibility of supporting the league if matches are streamed live on YouTube.

A final decision on the broadcasting arrangement will be crucial before the new season gets underway.

ISL club-led model already delivers major commercial deals

Despite the media rights uncertainty, the new club-led model has already produced several significant commercial agreements.

The ISL has secured a new four-year licensing agreement with EA Sports, ensuring the league continues to feature in the company’s FC video game series.

The league has also extended its partnership with Sportradar in a four-year deal reportedly worth around ₹57 crore. Sportradar will remain the ISL’s Data and Integrity Partner until 2030.

Nivia Sports has also renewed its association with the competition. The Indian sports manufacturing company has signed a two-year agreement to remain the ISL’s official ball and equipment partner.

The media rights issue, therefore, remains the biggest unresolved commercial challenge for the league ahead of its first season under the club-led model.

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