All ISL 2025-26 Clubs Confirm Participation: Season Kicks Off February 14

All 14 Indian Super League clubs, including debutants Inter Kashi and previously uncertain Odisha FC, have officially confirmed their participation for the 2025-26 season, ending months of uncertainty and providing much-needed clarity for Indian football’s top-tier league. The All India Football Federation confirmed that all franchises had submitted the mandatory ₹1 crore participation fee and finalized their home venues by the January 12 deadline, enabling the federation to proceed with critical planning for the delayed season commencing February 14, 2026.

The universal participation confirmation represents a watershed moment for Indian Super League operations, particularly following the commercial partner disruption that delayed the season launch. With all 14 teams committed and venues finalized, the AIFF has unveiled an ambitious timeline for governance establishment, broadcast and commercial partnership acquisition, and operational framework development across 2026 and beyond.

Participation Confirmation Details

The confirmation of participation from all 14 clubs marks the end of extended negotiations regarding financial sustainability, operational costs, and participation terms.

The AIFF had previously emphasized that proposed terms were uniform and non-negotiable, establishing clear expectations for club commitment without exceptions or special arrangements.

AIFF’s Budget Framework for 2025-26

The AIFF outlined a comprehensive budget framework allocating ₹24.26 crore for ISL 2025-26 operations. The federation will contribute ₹9.77 crore upfront, while 14 participating clubs will collectively contribute ₹14 crore through mandatory participation fees. Remaining expenses will be managed through additional allocated federation resources deployed progressively throughout the season.

This financial structure represents a significant federation investment in league sustainability, reflecting the commitment to establishing stable operational frameworks despite the absence of long-term commercial partnerships. The phased budget deployment allows flexibility as broadcast and commercial partners are secured during the 2026 calendar.

AIFF’s Strategic Roadmap 2026

The federation outlined an ambitious timeline for establishing governance frameworks, securing commercial partnerships, and finalizing long-term structural agreements:

January 2026 Actions:

• January 12: Submit AFC letter requesting exemption related to AFC Champions League 2 slots
• January 14: Publish RFP for securing broadcast partner
• January 15: Publish RFP for securing commercial partner
• January 20: Finalize long-term governance proposal
• January 29: Deadline for broadcast partner bid submissions
• January 30: Deadline for commercial partner bid submissions

February 2026 Actions:

• February 5: Onboard broadcast and commercial partners
• February 14: ISL 2025-26 season commences
• February 15: Finalize and execute 20-year participation agreements

March-May 2026 Priorities:

• March 15: Finalize long-term commercial partner for 2026-27 onwards
• April 1: Finalize club licensing, financial fair play, and salary cap models
• May 25: Complete logistics and operational planning for 2026-27

Key League Structure Details

With venues finalized and all clubs confirmed, the AIFF can now prepare a compressed fixture schedule accommodating the delayed February 14 start date. The single home-and-away format maximizes competitive balance while enabling efficient schedule management within a condensed 2026 calendar.

Club Participation Confirmed

All 14 ISL franchises confirmed participation, including:

Legacy Clubs: Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, FC Goa, Jamshedpur FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, NorthEast United FC, Punjab FC

Recently Established: East Bengal FC, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Mumbai City FC

Relocated Franchises: Real Kashmir (from Kashmir Premier League)

Newest Entrant: Inter Kashi (debut franchise)

Previously Uncertain: Odisha FC (confirmed after deadline discussions)

AFC Champions League 2 Consideration

The AIFF initiated formal communication with the Asian Football Confederation on January 12 requesting exemptions related to AFC Champions League 2 slot allocations. This administrative step enables Indian clubs to pursue continental competition opportunities while accommodating the delayed domestic season start.

Commercial Partnership Strategy

The federation will pursue both immediate season partnerships and long-term commercial arrangements. RFPs for broadcast and commercial partners were published January 14-15, with bid deadlines January 29-30. Successful partners will be onboarded by February 5, enabling operational support during the season launch on February 14.

Additionally, the federation will publish long-term commercial partnership RFPs by February 20, seeking 2026-27 onwards agreements to provide stable commercial frameworks beyond the current season.

Long-Term Governance Vision

The AIFF signaled commitment to establishing enduring structural frameworks through 20-year participation agreements to be finalized by February 15, 2026.

Club licensing requirements, financial fair play models, and salary cap structures will be finalized by April 1, 2026, establishing regulatory frameworks for competitive integrity and financial sustainability.

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