BREAKING: Jamshedpur FC withdraw from ISL after nine seasons

The Men of Steel have officially withdrawn from the 2026-27 Indian Super League, bringing an end to their nine-year association with the competition.

Jamshedpur FC have officially confirmed that they will not continue in the Indian Super League (ISL) under the competition’s new club-led structure.

The club announced their decision after the expiry of the AIFF’s extended July 31 deadline for payment of the first instalment of the participation fee, bringing an end to its nine-year association with the league.

The development marks a significant setback for one of the ISL’s founding clubs, which has been part of the competition since its inception in 2017.

“Jamshedpur Football Club would like to confirm that it will not be participating in ISL from 2026-27 season onwards.

JFSPL remains committed, in other capacities, to the continued growth and development of football in India. We will continue in our endeavour to promote and develop the game of football, including at the grassroots level. We will continue to identify and develop young football talent across India to create a strong pathway for young players from grassroots to national and international football.

Most importantly, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Jamshedpur FC football fans who have vociferously filled the JRD Tata Sports Complex with their passionate support over the past decade and made the stadium a Furnace!

We would also like to thank all the players, staff, coaches, employees and other personnel who have made this journey a resounding success since our inception in 2017!

We are grateful for AIFF’s support and look forward to continue receiving the same and we sincerely wish AIFF and ISL continued success in their endeavours,” the statement from Jamshedpur FC stated.

Jamshedpur FC had cited internal approval process

Earlier this month, the AIFF instructed all 14 participating clubs to confirm their participation in the revamped ISL structure and deposit the first instalment of the administrative fee, amounting to ₹55 lakh, by July 20.

While every club confirmed its willingness to participate, Jamshedpur FC requested additional time to complete the payment.

In a letter addressed to AIFF Deputy Secretary General M. Satyanarayan, Jamshedpur FC CEO Mukul Choudhari explained that the revised commercial framework required shareholder approval and additional compliance procedures because the club’s parent entity is linked to a listed company.

The club subsequently requested an extension until July 31, with expectations at the time that the payment would eventually be completed before the revised deadline.

AIFF had issued final notice

After the July 20 deadline expired without receiving the payment, the AIFF issued a final notice to both Jamshedpur FC and Inter Kashi, the only two clubs yet to deposit the first instalment.

The federation informed both clubs that they would be liable to pay a ₹1 lakh default charge for every day of delay, effective from July 21, until the outstanding amount was received.

In its communication, the AIFF reminded the clubs that the payment schedule and administrative fee structure had been mutually agreed upon before the implementation of the new club-led ISL model. The federation also warned that failure to comply by July 31 could invite further action under the league framework.

End of Jamshedpur FC’s ISL journey

With the extended deadline now ending and the club will not proceed under the new commercial structure, Jamshedpur FC are expected to be absent from the ISL for the first time since joining the league.

The decision leaves the competition with one fewer founding member under the new governance model, while the future of the club’s top-flight participation remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, the situation surrounding Inter Kashi, have completed the payment of the first ₹55 lakh instalment of their participation fee to the AIFF before the July 31 deadline.

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