Archive · 6 Sep 2026
John Abraham Backs Club-Led ISL Transformation in Indian Football
The Indian Super League is changing how it is run.
Starting in the 2026-27 season, the clubs will have more control over the league’s business operations.
The football federation will still handle the rules and administration.
John Abraham, who owns NorthEast United FC, thinks this could greatly improve Indian football.
He hopes football can become as popular as cricket in India.
The new season is scheduled to start on October 10.
It will have 13 teams, home-and-away matches, and 163 games over about eight months.
The top team will win the league Shield, while the top six teams will play for the ISL Cup.
NorthEast United FC hopes its recent Durand Cup success will help it win the ISL title.
The 2026-27 Indian Super League is scheduled to begin on October 10 under a club-led structure.
The league will return to a home-and-away format, with 163 matches across eight months and 13 teams.
The All India Football Federation transferred the ISL’s commercial rights to clubs for four years while retaining administrative and regulatory duties.
NorthEast United FC owner John Abraham called the change a potential “huge paradigm shift” and said clubs want football to rival cricket in India.
NorthEast United FC, which won consecutive Durand Cup titles in 2024 and 2025, is targeting its first ISL title.
- Who
- Indian Super League clubs, the All India Football Federation, and NorthEast United FC owner John Abraham are central to the change.
- What
- The ISL is moving to a club-led structure, with clubs receiving commercial rights while the federation retains administrative and regulatory functions.
- When
- The 2026-27 season is scheduled to begin on October 10 and run for eight months; the agreement was reached on July 8.
- Where
- The changes concern India’s top-tier football league, which will return to a home-and-away format.
- Why
- Club owners and the federation agreed to the new structure as they seek to strengthen the league and advance Indian football.
Club-Led Control
Federation Oversight
Who should drive the league?
Club-Led Control
John Abraham and other club owners believe greater club control can create a major shift and improve Indian football.
Federation Oversight
The All India Football Federation accepted the club-led commercial model but will retain administrative and regulatory responsibilities.
Participation and stability
Club-Led Control
The planned 13-team competition restores the longer home-and-away format and brings back a play-off for the ISL Cup.
Federation Oversight
Participation is subject to conditions: Diamond Harbour FC failed to meet the participation-fee requirement, while Churchill Brothers FC’s place remains subject to regulatory requirements and approvals.
- Season
- 2026-27
- Scheduled start
- October 10
- Competition format
- Home-and-away league with returning play-offs
- Match schedule
- 163 matches across eight months
- Participating teams
- 13
- Commercial rights
- Transferred to clubs for four years, with a unilateral exit option after two years
- Federation role
- Administrative and regulatory functions
- NorthEast United achievement
- Consecutive Durand Cup titles in 2024 and 2025
