Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Indian Super League Returns, With Clubs Taking Control Amid Instability
The Indian Super League is starting again after a long period of trouble.
Last season was postponed, and clubs faced uncertainty, including closures and changes in ownership.
Now the clubs will run the league for the next four years.
Diamond Harbour FC will not play this season because it did not meet an administrative fee requirement and was relegated.
Churchill Brothers FC is joining the league after Tata Steel sold Jamshedpur FC to them for Rs 100.
Fans can watch matches on television, on Sony LIV, and for free on YouTube.
League organizers hope more ways to watch will help more people find the games.
They want the attention to turn back to football.
The Indian Super League returns after its previous season was indefinitely postponed.
From this season, clubs will run the league for four years under a club-led model.
Diamond Harbour FC was relegated after failing to meet an administrative fee requirement for 2026/27.
Churchill Brothers FC joins the ISL after Tata Steel sold Jamshedpur FC to the club for Rs 100.
Matches will be shown on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV, and streamed free on YouTube.
- Who
- The Indian Super League and its clubs, including Churchill Brothers FC and Diamond Harbour FC.
- What
- The ISL is returning under a club-led model, with the league stage-playoff format restored.
- When
- This season; the league had previously been indefinitely postponed about a year and three months earlier.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- The clubs are taking over league operations, while organizers aim to improve visibility and access for fans.
- League
- Indian Super League (ISL)
- Club-led period
- Four years from this season
- Diamond Harbour FC
- Relegated after failing to fulfil the administrative fee requirement for 2026/27
- Jamshedpur FC sale
- Tata Steel sold the club to Churchill Brothers FC for Rs 100
- Television and streaming
- Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV, and free streaming on YouTube
- Broadcast valuation
- The article reports a 95 percent drop in per-match broadcasting valuation before the 2025/26 season
- Format
- The league stage-playoff format returns