The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has proposed a significant revamp of the Indian Super League (ISL), outlining a plan to own and operate the league for the next 20 seasons. This proposal, presented to ISL clubs on Friday, December 26th, marks a major shift in the league's governance and financial structure.
Under the AIFF's plan, the league would follow a June-to-May cycle, with the federation retaining final control over the ISL. The AIFF aims to create a stable environment, protecting Indian football from the potential withdrawal of private partners. A central operational budget, funded by all revenue shareholders, would cover operations, licensing, and prize money, with strict spending limits in place.
The proposal includes a revenue-sharing model involving the AIFF, clubs, and potential commercial partners. The AIFF would retain a fixed 10% share of the revenue, while participating clubs would collectively receive 50%. Up to 30% of the revenue could be allocated to a commercial partner. In addition to revenue sharing, clubs will pay a standard participation fee of ₹1 crore each season, which will be reimbursed from central revenues.
The AIFF's proposal also emphasizes sporting merit, with the introduction of promotion and relegation to be implemented from the upcoming season. This move aims to create a more competitive and engaging league structure.
The AIFF shared two potential formats for the 2025-26 season with the clubs. The first involves dividing the 14 teams into East and West conferences of seven teams each, with double-leg matches played between teams at two centralized venues. The top four teams from each conference would then play single-leg matches to determine the champions, while the bottom three would compete to avoid relegation. The second format proposes a single-leg league where all teams play each other once, with a random selection determining whether a team plays six or seven home or away matches. The team with the most points would be declared the champion.
However, clubs have expressed concerns regarding the financial and operational details of the proposed revamp. They are seeking clarity on budget allocations, broadcast arrangements, and the overall commercial strategy. Some club officials have questioned the necessity of centralized venues in the conference model, citing the additional costs involved.
Despite these concerns, some stakeholders view the AIFF's proposal as a positive step forward. Mandhar Tamhane, CEO of NorthEast United, described the plan as a "very strong foundation to take the discussion forward".
The AIFF is expected to address the clubs' queries and present the long-term proposal in detail at a meeting on December 29. The federation aims to announce the start date for the new ISL season on Monday, with a potential launch in the first week of February.
