Excl: 12 ISL clubs pay first installment of participation fee; Jamshedpur FC & Inter Kashi yet to comply
Kerala Blasters have also completed the first payment under the league’s new club-led model
Twelve Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have completed the first instalment of the mandatory participation fee for the 2026-27 season before Monday’s deadline, with only Jamshedpur FC and Inter Kashi yet to submit the payment, Khel Now has learnt.
“Except Jamshedpur FC and Inter Kashi, all other ISL clubs including Kerala Blasters have completed the formalities for the first instalment of the participation fee to the AIFF by Monday’s deadline,” a source tracking the development told Khel Now.
The first payment of ₹55 lakh was due on July 20, as directed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Clubs were also required to submit written confirmation of participation along with the payment. The second and final instalment of another ₹55 lakh must be paid before August 14.
“East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Diamond Harbour FC’s first instalments were adjusted by the AIFF against the prize money due to them from the previous season,” another source told Khel Now.
Last week, East Bengal and Jamshedpur FC officially wrote to the AIFF requesting an extension to the payment deadline. The federation rejected the request, while East Bengal’s first instalment was eventually adjusted against the club’s pending prize money.
On Monday, Jamshedpur FC and Inter Kashi again wrote to the AIFF seeking an extension to the payment deadline, stating that they would not be able to make the payment by the deadline due to operational issues. The AIFF is yet to respond to the latest letters. Despite the fresh request, the original deadline for the first instalment has now expired.
12 clubs meet first payment deadline
The payment is part of the newly introduced club-led structure that will govern the ISL from the 2026-27 season onwards.
Under the new framework, every participating club must pay an annual participation fee of ₹1.10 crore to the AIFF in two equal instalments. The federation had made it clear in its communication to clubs that the first instalment and written confirmation of participation were mandatory requirements for competing in the league.
With the deadline now over, 12 of the 14 clubs have fulfilled the first financial obligation. As things stand, Jamshedpur FC and Inter Kashi are the only clubs yet to complete the payment process.
As of publication, the AIFF has not officially communicated what action, if any, will be taken against clubs that failed to meet the first payment deadline.
The federation had also stated that no requests for extensions or deferred compliance would be entertained beyond the prescribed timelines.
Diamond Harbour FC completes formalities
Diamond Harbour FC’s participation had been the subject of speculation following reports regarding an investigation into the club’s finances.
Despite those concerns, the newly promoted side had informed the AIFF that its participation fee should be adjusted against the prize money earned after winning the Indian Football League last season. The adjustment has now been processed, allowing Diamond Harbour FC to complete the first instalment requirement ahead of its maiden ISL campaign. They replaced Mohammedan Sporting, who got relegated to the Indian Football League.
Earlier, AIFF Deputy Secretary General M. Satyanarayan had stated that the federation had not received any communication from Diamond Harbour FC indicating that the club would be unable to participate in the competition.
What happens next?
The remaining ₹55 lakh must be paid before August 14, completing the annual participation fee of ₹1.10 crore per club.
The 2026-27 season will also mark the beginning of the ISL’s new club-led era. While clubs will collectively manage the league’s commercial and operational responsibilities, the AIFF will continue to oversee sporting matters, including governance, regulations and club licensing.
The new system also confirms that clubs can register six foreign players, with a maximum of four allowed in the playing XI at any time. Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) players will continue to be counted as foreign players, while the proposal to make it mandatory for clubs to field an Indian No. 9 was not approved.
Which ISL clubs have not paid the first AIFF participation fee?
As things stand, Jamshedpur FC and Inter Kashi are the only two clubs yet to complete the first instalment of the mandatory participation fee for the 2026-27 ISL season.
How much is the ISL participation fee for the 2026-27 season?
Every participating club must pay an annual participation fee of ₹1.10 crore to the AIFF in two equal instalments of ₹55 lakh each.
When is the second instalment due?
The second and final instalment of ₹55 lakh must be paid before August 14.
Why did East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Diamond Harbour FC not make the first payment?
The AIFF adjusted the first instalment of East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Diamond Harbour FC against the prize money due to the clubs from the previous season.
Why did Jamshedpur FC and Inter Kashi seek an extension?
Both clubs wrote to the AIFF requesting an extension to the payment deadline, citing operational issues. The federation is yet to respond to their latest letters.
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Ashish Negi is the co-founder and CEO of Khel Now. A computer engineering graduate from LPU (2015), he has been closely following and covering Indian football and sports since 2007. He started the Indian Football Team Facebook page in 2013 and later handed it over to the AIFF in 2015 when it had grown to over 500K followers. Ashish continues to drive Khel Now’s vision while staying deeply connected to the pulse of Indian sport.