Last Updated Jun - 19 - 2025, 04:42 PM | Source : Fela News
The AIFF has excluded the Indian Super League from its 2025–26 season calendar, raising doubts over the league's future amid unresolved Master Rights Agreement
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially omitted the Indian Super League (ISL) from its 2025–26 competition calendar, triggering major concerns about the future of India’s premier football league. The ISL, launched in 2014, has been the top-tier tournament in Indian football, but its absence from the new calendar released by AIFF has led to widespread speculation. This development comes amidst ongoing uncertainty over the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), which manages the league.
According to reports, FSDL officials have informed club owners that the upcoming ISL season will not commence unless there is clarity on the MRA, which governs the commercial and operational aspects of the league. The existing 15-year agreement, signed in 2010, is due to expire in December 2025. Under this contract, FSDL pays AIFF either ₹50 crore annually or 20% of revenue, whichever is higher. Sources suggest that resolving the MRA may take time, especially with the Supreme Court yet to rule on AIFF’s new constitution, a factor adding further uncertainty to the league’s continuation.
While the AIFF calendar includes major competitions such as the I-League, Durand Cup, Super Cup, Indian Women’s League, and Santosh Trophy, the exclusion of the ISL is being seen as a significant shift in Indian football’s domestic structure. With no confirmation on when or if the league will return, clubs and players are left in limbo. Industry experts fear the delay in resolving contractual issues could impact long-term investments and the credibility of the professional football ecosystem in India. As stakeholders await official clarification, the future of the ISL hangs in the balance.
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