AIFF & ISL clubs set to sign new agreement & unveil roadmap for 2026-27 season
A joint press conference is scheduled on Wednesday
After months of uncertainty around the new commercial deal of the Indian Super League (ISL), there seems to be good news as clarity finally appears to be around the corner.
The All-India Football Federation (AIFF) and ISL clubs are all set to formally announce the club led agreement in a joint press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday. The press conference is also expected to unveil the roadmap for the 2026-27 season laying the foundation for the next chapter of Indian football.
Details of the press conference
The press conference featuring AIFF and ISL clubs is expected to place on Wednesday (tomorrow), July 8th at 11 am IST.
Senior AIFF officials alongside representatives of the ISL clubs are expected to address the media with focus to be on the 2026-27 ISL season and the league’s roadmap moving ahead.
It is expected that the club-led model gets an official green light during this press conference.
What is the club led model
The agreement is expected to introduce a club led model for the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season, giving the ISL clubs a greater role in the league’s overall governance and decision making.
The new model is expected to allow the clubs to work alongside the AIFF in various aspects such as the league’s financial and operational future.
Under this proposed agreement, AIFF will receive 10% of the league’s net profit along with the audit rights over the league’s financial accounts. Additionally, each club participating will pay ₹1.1 crore annually to the AIFF which becomes ₹15.4 crores if 14 clubs participate.
The new agreement is expected to define the roles and responsibilities of both the federation and the clubs as Indian football enters a new chapter.
Why clubs wanted the club led model
A major reason is that the club owners believe they are in a better position to maximise the ISL’s commercial value.
The clubs believe that they are very efficient to take a larger role in the league’s future. With established relations with sponsors and various stakeholders involved already, they feel they are better positioned to unlock the potential of the ISL.
Another proof given is the successful execution of the 2025-26 ISL season’s operations. They also believe that managing league operations internally would reduce costs while giving clubs greater flexibility to build commercial partnerships around the competition.
When will the joint press conference between AIFF and ISL clubs take place?
The press conference featuring AIFF and ISL clubs is expected to place on Wednesday (tomorrow), July 8th at 11 am IST.
How much will the ISL clubs pay to AIFF?
Under this proposed agreement, AIFF will receive 10% of the league’s net profit along with the audit rights over the league’s financial accounts. Additionally, each club participating will pay ₹1.1 crore annually to the AIFF which becomes ₹15.4 crores if 14 clubs participate.
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Ayushman Sharma is a sports enthusiast with a deep love for football, following the game closely since 2018. A hardcore supporter of NorthEast United FC and FC Barcelona, he has also gained valuable on-ground experience by volunteering during FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Guwahati.