Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Churchill Brothers Acquire Jamshedpur FC, Set for ISL Entry
Tata Steel owns many businesses, and it also owned a football club called Jamshedpur FC.
Jamshedpur FC played in India's top football league, the Indian Super League.
But the club stopped playing because it did not pay its league fee on time.
Another football club, Churchill Brothers from Goa, decided to take Jamshedpur FC's place.
Churchill Brothers paid Tata Steel just 100 rupees for the club — that is as small as the price of a chocolate bar!
They will also take care of Jamshedpur FC's players and coaches so they can keep playing football.
The new football season begins on September 4.
Churchill Brothers will pay the full league fee of 1.1 crore rupees.
Tata Steel says it will keep teaching young children football through its training academy.
This way, the players get a new home, and the sport continues in India.
Tata Steel sold its entire stake in Jamshedpur FC to Goan club Churchill Brothers for a nominal Rs 100, including the ISL sporting licence.
Churchill Brothers will feature in the ISL 2026-27 season starting September 4, expected to pay the full Rs 1.1 crore participation fee to the AIFF.
The transfer includes 12 Jamshedpur FC players and two coaches, whose contracts Churchill will take over from September 1, 2026.
Jamshedpur FC pulled out of the ISL and disbanded its first team on July 31 after missing the Rs 55 lakh first-installment payment deadline.
Tata Steel said the transfer is subject to AIFF approval and that it will continue grassroots football development at the Tata Football Academy.
- Who
- Tata Steel sold Jamshedpur FC to Churchill Brothers, a Goan club, with D B Sundara Ramam speaking for Tata Steel.
- What
- Churchill Brothers acquired Jamshedpur FC's entire stake and ISL sporting licence from Tata Steel, including 12 players and two coaches, enabling its entry into the Indian Super League.
- When
- The sale was announced on Friday; Jamshedpur FC exited the ISL on July 31; ownership transfer is expected by August 31; the ISL season starts September 4.
- Where
- The deal involves clubs based in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand and Goa, India.
- Why
- Jamshedpur FC disbanded its first team after missing the participation fee deadline, and Churchill Brothers stepped in to take over its ISL spot.
- Buyer
- Churchill Brothers (Goa)
- Seller
- Tata Steel
- Stake transferred
- 100% of Jamshedpur FC via Jamshedpur Football & Sporting Private Limited
- Consideration
- Rs 100 (nominal/token amount)
- ISL participation fee
- Rs 1.1 crore
- Players and coaches transferred
- 12 players and 2 coaches
- ISL 2026-27 season start
- September 4
- Jamshedpur FC turnover (FY)
- Rs 32.23 crore