The Indian Super League (ISL) finds itself at a critical juncture as organizers have reportedly informed clubs that the 2025-26 season will not commence without clarity on the Master Rights Agreement (MRA). This development follows the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) omission of the ISL from its official calendar for the upcoming season, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the league's future.
The MRA, a 15-year agreement between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), which manages the ISL, is set to expire in December 2025. This agreement governs the ISL's operations and commercial rights, with FSDL paying the AIFF either ₹50 crore annually or 20% of total revenue, whichever is higher. With the agreement nearing its end, negotiations for renewal have been stalled, primarily due to a pending Supreme Court decision regarding the AIFF's constitution.
The Supreme Court's involvement stems from ongoing efforts to reform the AIFF's governance structure, including implementing tenure limits and age restrictions for officials. A draft of the new AIFF constitution reportedly suggests that the country's top-tier league should be owned, operated, and directly managed by the AIFF, potentially upending the existing MRA framework. The Supreme Court is scheduled to resume hearing this case on July 14, 2025, and its verdict will significantly influence the future of the ISL.
The AIFF's decision to exclude the ISL from its 2025-26 calendar has further heightened concerns. While the calendar includes other major tournaments such as the Durand Cup, Super Cup, I-League, and Indian Women's League (IWL), the absence of the ISL is conspicuous. This omission has sparked anxiety among football fans and club officials, jeopardizing transfer plans and creating logistical challenges. The Durand Cup is slated to begin on July 15 and conclude on August 23, while the Super Cup is scheduled for September 1-20. The I-League will then run from October 19 to April 30, 2026, and the IWL from October 25 to April 30.
According to reports, FSDL officials have met with club owners to inform them that the ISL season will not begin unless the MRA's future is clarified. Given the complexities involved and the pending Supreme Court decision, finalizing the MRA is expected to be a lengthy process. This uncertainty has far-reaching implications, affecting not only the clubs and players but also the broader ISL ecosystem, which supports thousands of jobs.
Despite the challenges, some reports suggest that the AIFF calendar mentions the ISL 2025-26 season will start on September 14, 2025, and end before April 30, 2026, including the ISL playoffs. The Super Cup will also be happening before the ISL kicks off, being primed to be played in September 2025 this time around. However, the official calendar released by AIFF does not include ISL, as per other reports.
The ISL has been India's top-tier football league since 2019, playing a crucial role in the development of Indian football. The league's future hinges on the resolution of the MRA and the Supreme Court's verdict on the AIFF's constitution. Until these matters are clarified, the uncertainty surrounding the ISL's 2025-26 season will continue to loom large.
