BREAKING: ISL 2025-26 season formally on hold; FSDL informs clubs & AIFF

MRA between AIFF & FSDL set to expire on 8 December 2025

Uncertainty continues to cast a long shadow over Indian football. Following a directive from the Supreme Court of India, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) have been asked not to negotiate new terms of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the commercial partner running the Indian Super League (ISL), until a final judgment is delivered in the AIFF draft constitution case.

Seven ISL clubs — FC Goa, Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Odisha FC, Kerala Blasters, Mumbai City, and Hyderabad FC/FC Delhi — have postponed their pre-season preparations and withdrawn from the Durand Cup 2025. Their decision stems from concerns over potential financial losses if the ISL 2025–26 season fails to begin on schedule.

Earlier today, FSDL officially communicated to all ISL clubs and the AIFF that they are not in a position to proceed with the upcoming ISL season under the current MRA structure.

🚨BREAKING: ISL 2025-26 season formally on hold; FSDL informs clubs. #IndianFootball #ISL pic.twitter.com/Opeol8U0aB

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) July 11, 2025

The MRA, signed in 2010 for a 15-year term, is due to expire on 8 December 2025. The agreement includes a ₹50 crore annual guarantee from FSDL to the AIFF, a critical sum supporting the federation’s daily operations and football development initiatives.

The Supreme Court’s directive has stalled any forward movement on renewing or restructuring this agreement until after the court’s summer recess, which ends on 14 July 2025.

“Many clubs wanted to use force majeure to suspend or terminate contracts with the players and staff, which they could not do without official communication from AIFF or FSDL,” a source tracking the development informed Khel Now.

In an email to all ISL clubs accessed by Khel Now, FSDL stated:

“As you are aware, the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between FSDL and AIFF is scheduled to expire on 8th December 2025 – approximately one-third of the way through a typical ISL season, which runs from September to April. Renewable discussion remains inconclusive at this time. In the absence of a confirmed contractual framework beyond December, we find ourselves unable to effectively plan, organise, or commercialise the 2025-26 ISL season.”

“Given this situation, we regret to inform you that we are currently not in a position to proceed with the 2025-26 ISL season and are placing it on hold until further clarity emerges on the contractual structure beyond the end of the current MRA term,” the email further added.

FSDL also assured that it is monitoring developments closely and will continue to update clubs in a timely and transparent manner.

Earlier this year, FSDL had proposed a shift from the existing guaranteed-cash model to a profit-and-loss sharing model, and suggested forming a new holding company to govern and commercialise ISL operations.

Proposed Ownership Structure:

• ISL Clubs: 60% (shared equally)
• FSDL: 26%
• AIFF: 14%

This marks a major shift from the current MRA-based structure, where FSDL retains central control of ISL operations.

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