The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has reached a significant agreement with Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, granting them the rights to operate the league for a minimum of two years. This decision marks a pivotal moment in the management of the ISL, which has faced uncertainty following the conclusion of its previous commercial partnership.

New Structure for ISL Management

In a recent announcement, the AIFF confirmed that it has transferred the commercial rights of the ISL to the clubs for a four-year period. However, clubs have the option to withdraw from this agreement after two years. This development follows a challenging period for the league, which saw the 2025-26 season shortened to just 13 matches per club, played in a single leg format over three months, due to the expiration of the Master Rights Agreement with the former commercial partners, FSDL, last December.

AIFF Deputy Secretary-General M Satyanarayan stated, “We have agreed on certain things with the clubs. We are giving them the commercial rights of the ISL, and as usual the AIFF will hold on to the administrative and all the important aspects of running the league.” This indicates a shift towards a club-led model while maintaining the AIFF's role in overseeing regulatory functions.

Commitment to Growth and Excitement

Representatives from several ISL clubs, including FC Goa, Northeastern United, and Sporting Club Delhi, were present during the announcement. Satyanarayan expressed optimism about the league's future, saying, “From our side, we are committed to making this league one of the best in Asia at least and we have been receiving a lot of cooperation from the clubs…who are one of the biggest investors and who have stood by this league for over 10 years through thick and thin.” He also highlighted the introduction of relegation for the bottom-placed team, which is expected to enhance the league's competitiveness.

In the coming days, the AIFF will communicate with all clubs, providing them with a 15-day window to confirm their participation in the upcoming 2026-27 season. Additionally, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be established as a private limited company to manage the ISL, with each club contributing Rs 1.1 crore.