The Indian Super League will kick off on February 14, with all 14 clubs taking part, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Tuesday, bringing clarity to weeks of uncertainty surrounding the country’s top-tier football competition.
The ISL had been on pause due to the absence of a commercial partner, raising concerns over the future of the season. However, following a high-level meeting involving the government, the All India Football Federation and club representatives, a consensus was reached to resume the league next month.
“There was a lot of speculation regarding ISL, but today the government, football federation and all 14 clubs had a meeting and we have decided that ISL will start on February 14. All clubs will participate,” Mandaviya said, confirming that traditional rivals Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will also be part of the season.
The 14 clubs are – Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammaden FC, Kerala Blasters, FC Goa, Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC, SC Delhi, Bengaluru FC, NorthEast United FC, Jamshedpur FC, Odisha FC and Inter Kashi.
Also present at the meeting was AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, who provided further details on the structure and funding of the competitions. The ISL will feature 91 matches on a home-and-away basis, with logistical planning still underway.
Chaubey also confirmed that the I-League, which was similarly put on hold, will be held “around the same time” as the ISL, with all 11 clubs participating. The I-League season will be a truncated affair, comprising 55 matches.
To ensure the smooth conduct of the ISL, a central pool of Rs 25 crore has been created. “Ten percent of this fund will come from AIFF. Thirty percent was to come from a commercial partner, but since we don’t have one right now, the AIFF will pitch in with that contribution,” Chaubey said.
“In all, the AIFF will give Rs 14 crore for ISL and about Rs 3.2 crore for the I-League till we find a commercial partner,” he added.
Chaubey further revealed that a Governing Council Board will be constituted to oversee both leagues in the future, with the body being “empowered to take all commercial decisions,” a move aimed at providing greater administrative and financial stability to Indian football.
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