The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has proposed a comprehensive 20-year plan for the Indian Super League (ISL), outlining a new governance, operational, and financial structure for the league. The proposal was presented to club representatives on Friday, December 26th, in an online meeting aimed at addressing concerns regarding the league's future roadmap.
Under the proposed model, the AIFF will own and operate the ISL for 20 seasons, with each season running from June to May. After this cycle, all revenue shares will revert to the federation, which will retain final control while allowing temporary revenue sharing with clubs and commercial partners. This structure aims to protect Indian football from sudden exits by private partners.
A key component of the plan is the establishment of a Central Operational Budget, which will govern the league's functioning each season. For the first year, this budget is projected at ₹70 crore, funded by proportional contributions from all revenue shareholders. The budget will cover operational expenses, licensing requirements, and prize money, with strict spending limits in place. Additionally, a ₹1 crore participation fee will be required from each club per season, which will later be reimbursed from central revenues. The total cost of the league is estimated at ₹96 crore per season.
The governance model includes a league board empowered by the AIFF General Body, with autonomy limited to managing operational and commercial matters within the approved budget. While decision-making authority rests with this board, the AIFF will retain overall oversight, with a veto on essential items like licensing and disciplinary matters.
Financially, the proposal outlines a structured revenue-sharing mechanism. The AIFF will hold a fixed 10% share, with participating clubs collectively receiving 50%. Up to 30% can go to a commercial partner, requiring an investment of ₹12 crore for an additional 4% revenue share, bringing their total holding to 30%. All stakeholders must also pay a League Membership Contribution based on their share. The plan also includes safeguards for long-term club investments. Clubs with longer participation histories will be entitled to retain a fixed revenue share even if relegated, provided they continue to meet their financial obligations, ranging from 0.25% to 1% depending on their participation duration. Furthermore, 2% of the central pool has been earmarked as parachute payments for relegated teams.
The proposal also emphasizes the importance of promotion and relegation to protect sporting merit. Under the proposed structure, 60% of total revenues would remain with the AIFF, with 10% retained directly and 50% distributed equally among participating clubs as part of their membership entitlement. The remaining 40% would form the fixed revenue pool for commercial partners and long-term investors.
Despite the detailed plan, concerns remain over costs, salary caps, investment security, and the continued uncertainty surrounding the ISL 2025–26 start date. Clubs have raised questions regarding operational expenditure and the long-term security of their investments. The AIFF has shared two proposals for the 14-team 2025-26 season with the clubs, including a conference model in two venues and a single-leg league format.
The AIFF will respond to the clubs' queries and try to find a solution after hearing from them. Further meetings are expected to fine-tune the proposal, with a likely announcement of the season's start date soon. The AIFF is aiming for the season to commence in the first week of February.
