8 months ago
Indian Super League Resumes February 14
The Indian Super League (ISL) will start on February 14, 2026, with all 14 clubs participating.
This decision comes after a meeting between the Sports Ministry, the All India Football Federation (AIFF), and club representatives.
The league will feature 91 home-and-away matches.
The I-League will also take place around the same time with 11 clubs and 55 matches.
The AIFF has set up a Rs 25 crore central pool for the ISL, with the AIFF contributing Rs 14 crore.
A Governing Council Board will be formed to manage the leagues and make commercial decisions.
This resolution ends the uncertainty caused by the absence of a commercial partner and a court dispute.
However, several foreign players have left their ISL clubs, and City Football Group has exited its stake in Mumbai City FC due to the uncertainty.
Indian Super League to resume on February 14, 2026, with all 14 clubs participating.
The league will consist of 91 home-and-away matches, with logistics still being finalized.
The I-League will also take place around the same time with 11 clubs and 55 matches.
A Rs 25 crore central pool has been set up for the ISL, with the AIFF contributing Rs 14 crore.
A Governing Council Board will be formed to manage the leagues and make commercial decisions.
- Who
- Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, AIFF, 14 ISL clubs, 11 I-League clubs
- What
- Announcement of ISL and I-League resumption and start date
- Where
- New Delhi
- When
- February 14, 2026
- Why
- Resolution of commercial partner uncertainty and court dispute
AIFF and ISL Clubs
Foreign Players and Investors
Financial Model
AIFF and ISL Clubs
The AIFF and ISL clubs have agreed on a financial model, including a Rs 25 crore central pool for the ISL, with the AIFF contributing Rs 14 crore.
Foreign Players and Investors
Several foreign players have left their ISL clubs due to the uncertainty, and City Football Group has exited its stake in Mumbai City FC.
League Participation
AIFF and ISL Clubs
All 14 ISL clubs, including Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, will participate in the league.
Foreign Players and Investors
Foreign players and investors have expressed concerns about the future of Indian football and the uncertainty surrounding the league.
Key facts
- Start Date
- February 14, 2026
- Number of Clubs
- 14 (ISL), 11 (I-League)
- Number of Matches
- 91 (ISL, home and away), 55 (I-League)
- Funding
- Rs 25 crore central pool (AIFF contributing Rs 14 crore for ISL)
- Governing Body
- Governing Council Board to be formed for commercial decisions
- AFC Champions League Eligibility
- ISL clubs may not meet the mandatory 24 matches to be eligible for the AFC Champions League
Timeline
The ISL clubs' proposal to create a new company that they own and control, with the AIFF overseeing the rules, directly led to the AIFF's decision to introduce a promotion and relegation system and change the league's structure.
The AIFF's decision to introduce a promotion and relegation system and change the league's structure was a direct response to the ISL clubs' proposal to create a new company that the clubs own and control, with the AIFF overseeing the rules.
The AIFF's decision to introduce a promotion and relegation system and change the league's structure led to the joint kick-off of ISL and I-League in February 2026.
The AIFF's decision to take over the ISL and introduce a promotion and relegation system led to the joint kick-off of ISL and I-League in February 2026.
The Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League will kick off on February 14, 2026, with 14 and 11 clubs respectively, following a meeting between the Sports Ministry, AIFF, and club representatives.
Quotes
Debarata Sarkar
Senior club official of East Bengal
“It’s a happy day for Indian football. East Bengal has been saying from the first day that the league will happen. This country has so many fans who love football, a government which supports sports and a federation. In such a scenario, the league not happening is something we could never digest”
wionews.com
Mandar Tamhane
CEO of NorthEast United
“We want football to start, and as a club, we want to reaffirm that we will be playing in the league. We are thankful to the government, the federation and also the clubs for having looked at the larger picture, keeping Indian football in mind, and making this thing (the ISL) finally happen”
wionews.com
Sources
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