We are almost a month away from the 21/22 ISL season, and the new campaign will start with ATK Mohun Bagan taking on Kerala Blasters FC at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda, Goa.
The total prize money for the new season is projected to be around Rs 15.5 crore. The Football Sports Development has announced an increase in the prize money for the Shield winners by Rs 3 crore starting from this season.
The FSDL previously offered the Shield winners Rs 50 lakh, but has now changed the total prize money offered so that there is an equivalence amongst the different winners of the tournament. The new prize money offered to the winners of the Shield will be Rs 3.5 crore. The Shield was introduced in 19/20 as an extension to the league season.
As table toppers, the club is guaranteed ₹3.5 Crore. As added incentive, if the club goes on to win the ISL Championship, they would stand to gain a total windfall of ₹9.5 Crore.
If finished as runners-up in the ISL final, the club would earn a total of ₹6.5 Crore. In case the table topper finishes third or fourth in the knock out competition, the club would earn a minimum of ₹5 Crore.
The league winners are offered the honour of representing India in the AFC Champions League. Mumbai City FC were the previous winners of the double championship in India, and represented the country in the continental championship.