Indian Super League Set to Kick Off on February 14, 2026

Indian Football Crisis Resolved

New Delhi, January 7, 2026: After months of uncertainty in Indian football, clarity has finally emerged. On Tuesday, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya made a significant announcement stating that the Indian Super League (ISL) for the 2025-26 season will commence on February 14. All 14 clubs will participate, including traditional rivals Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.

During a press conference, Minister Mandaviya remarked, “There has been much speculation regarding the ISL, but today we held a meeting with the government, the All India Football Federation (AIFF), and all 14 clubs. We have decided that the ISL will start on February 14, and all clubs will take part.” He emphasized that the league's organization will inject new energy into Indian football and provide opportunities for young players.

AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey provided further details following the meeting. He revealed that this season will feature a total of 91 matches in a home-and-away format. The logistics of the league will be finalized in collaboration with the clubs soon. Additionally, the I-League is expected to start around the same time, involving all 11 clubs and comprising a total of 55 matches.

This decision is crucial as the ISL had been indefinitely postponed due to a lack of commercial partners and legal uncertainties. The previous commercial partner, FSDL, had its master rights agreement (MRA) expire, and a new tender process was unsuccessful. The AIFF will now manage the league under interim arrangements, establishing a central pool of ₹25 crores, with ₹14 crores allocated for the ISL and ₹3.2 crores for the I-League. A governing council board will also be formed for future commercial decisions.