The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has excluded the Indian Super League (ISL) from its 2025–26 official calendar, signaling uncertainty over the league’s future. The decision stems from ongoing disputes about the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the league's commercial partner.
The 15-year MRA, signed in 2010, will expire in December 2025. FSDL currently pays AIFF ₹50 crore annually or 20% of revenues. However, until the MRA is renewed or clarified especially in light of a pending Supreme Court ruling on the AIFF constitution the ISL season will not commence. This leaves clubs and stakeholders in a difficult position as the league has been the face of Indian club football since 2014.
AIFF’s released calendar includes multiple tournaments but notably omits the ISL, raising concerns about Indian football's commercial and competitive landscape.
AIFF 2025-26 Key Competitions Calendar
| Tournament | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Boys Tier 1 and Tier 2 | 10 July – 31 July 2025 | Youth competition |
| Junior Girls Tier 1 and Tier 2 | 10 July – 31 July 2025 | Youth competition |
| Durand Cup | 15 July – 23 August 2025 | Historic tournament |
| Super Cup / Federation Cup | 1 September – 20 September 2025 | National cup competitions |
| Sub-Junior Girls Tier 1 and Tier 2 | 10 August – 31 August 2025 | Youth competition |
| Senior Women's Group Stage | 1 September – 20 September 2025 | Women’s football |
| AIFF Elite Youth League (U14/U16/U18) | 1 September 2025 – 31 May 2026 | Youth league |
| Senior Women's Final Round | 1 October – 15 October 2025 | Women’s football final stage |
| I-League 3 | 1 October – 30 November 2025 | Lower division league |
| I-League | 19 October 2025 – 30 April 2026 | Traditional top-tier league |
| Indian Women's League | 25 October 2025 – 30 April 2026 | Women’s league |
| Santosh Trophy Group Stage | 5 December – 20 December 2025 | Senior men’s state tournament |
| Santosh Trophy Final Round | 1 January – 20 January 2026 | Final stage of Santosh Trophy |
| Indian Women's League 2 | 25 January – 30 April 2026 | Second division women’s league |
| Beach Soccer Championship | 1 February – 15 February 2026 | Beach soccer tournament |
| Futsal Club Championship | 1 May – 20 May 2026 | Indoor football tournament |
| Swami Vivekananda U-20 Championship | 1 April – 31 May 2026 | Youth tournament |
What This Means for Indian Football and ISL
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ISL Omission: The ISL, India’s premier football league, is missing from the calendar due to unresolved contractual and legal issues.
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MRA Dispute: The Master Rights Agreement between AIFF and FSDL is under review, and renewal is pending Supreme Court verdict on AIFF’s new constitution.
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Uncertain Future: Clubs have been informed the season will not start until MRA clarity emerges, putting players, sponsors, and fans in a state of uncertainty.
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Alternative Competitions: Traditional leagues like I-League and other AIFF tournaments will continue, but ISL’s potential break is a major setback for Indian football’s growth trajectory.
Fans and stakeholders are watching closely as the deadline approaches, awaiting clarity on whether the ISL will be renewed, replaced, or restructured for the 2025–26 season and beyond.
