The much-awaited new season of the Indian Super League (ISL) is set to commence on February 14, Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya announced to reporters.
The league had been in limbo after talks between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) broke down. The two parties could not agree on the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) necessary for the operation of the Indian Super League. FSDL had delayed the start of the 2025-26 edition because the MRA was set to expire on December 8, 2025, which would be midway through the league, creating uncertainty around its renewal.
“Due to a court dispute, there was a lot of uncertainty about the Indian Super League, but today the government and AIFF, along with club representatives of all 14 clubs, have decided to start the league again. The national football league will kick off from February 14,” Minister Mandaviya stated.
He emphasized that all 14 clubs have agreed to participate in the ISL this year. More details will be provided later, including information on how the tournament will be played, the platforms it will be on, and the venues for the matches. After these details are confirmed, teams will begin to assemble their rosters and prepare for the upcoming season.
Previously, Indian footballers and international stars had urged FIFA, the global governing body of the sport, to intervene and resolve the ongoing issues surrounding the franchise-based tournament. Prominent figures in Indian football, such as Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan, and Sunil Chhetri, publicly appealed to FIFA for assistance during the crisis.
“It’s January, and we should be on your screens as a part of a competitive football game in the Indian Super League,” Gurpreet remarked in a video featuring other players. “Instead, here we are driven by fear and desperation to say aloud something which we all know,” added Jhingan. “Players, staff, owners, and the fans deserve clarity, protection, and more importantly, a future,” Chhetri expressed.