Government intervention ends six-month shutdown; league will feature 91 matches in home-and-away format
The Indian Super League will restart on February 14, 2026, with all 14 clubs participating. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the decision on Tuesday after a joint meeting with the All India Football Federation and club representatives. The restart ends a six-month crisis that brought Indian football to a standstill.
The league was suspended in July 2025 when Football Sports Development Limited, AIFF’s commercial partner, stopped operations. The suspension occurred due to uncertainty over the Master Rights Agreement, which expired in December 2024. A new tender failed to attract any bids.
League Format and Match Schedule
The ISL will follow a home-and-away format. Each of the 14 teams will play 13 matches. The total number of matches in the league is 91. Clubs will work out the final scheduling and logistics in the coming weeks.
The league normally starts in September. But the February start date means the season is delayed by five months. This is the first time ISL will begin in the second month of the calendar year.
All 14 ISL Clubs Agree to Participate After Six-Month Standoff
All 14 ISL clubs agreed to participate after months of dispute. Mohun Bagan and East Bengal were among the clubs that opposed AIFF’s financial model. The Sports Ministry stepped in and settled the disagreement between the federation and the clubs.
The 14 teams are made up of well-known clubs from all over India. Everyone’s participation makes sure that the league stays structured and fair. Previous seasons featured between 10 and 12 teams before expanding to 14.
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AIFF Confirms I-League Restart for 11 Teams
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey confirmed the second division I-League will also restart around the same time as ISL. All 11 clubs from the I-League will participate. The league will follow a shortened format with 55 matches total.
The I-League serves as the second tier of Indian football. It provides a pathway for clubs to reach the top division. Both leagues being suspended together created a complete shutdown of organized football in India.
Governing Council to Handle Commercial Rights and Revenue
The governing Council Board will be established to manage both ISL and I-League. The board will be able to make business decisions for both leagues. This structure is meant to stop future problems with operations.
The board will take care of sponsorship deals, broadcast rights, and other money matters. The creation of this body addresses the commercial uncertainty that caused the suspension.
Why Was the League Suspended?
Football Sports Development Limited suspended ISL operations in July 2025. The company held commercial rights through the Master Rights Agreement. That agreement expired in December 2024.
AIFF issued a new tender to find a commercial partner. No companies submitted bids for the contract. Without a commercial partner, the league could not operate. Clubs had no clarity on revenue sharing or match organization.
The suspension affected player contracts, club finances, and the national football calendar. Indian players had no competitive football for six months. Many foreign players left the country during the shutdown.
Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Brokers ISL Restart Agreement
The Sports Ministry called the joint meeting after months of deadlock. Minister Mansukh Mandaviya brought AIFF officials and club representatives together. The meeting resulted in the agreement to restart both leagues.
The AIFF and the clubs couldn’t work out their financial problems on their own, so the government had to step in. The ministry’s involvement shows that the crisis had gotten bad enough that politicians needed to pay attention.
Impact on Indian Football
The six-month break hurt the credibility of Indian football. Sponsors backed out of their promises. Broadcast partners had gaps in their schedules. Players lost time to compete and get fit for matches.
The restart in February saves the 2025–26 season. But the late start makes the football schedule tighter. Between February and May, teams will play games in very hot weather.
The crisis showed that the Indian football administration had some problems. Not being able to find a business partner before the old deal ended showed bad planning. Disagreements between AIFF and clubs showed that there were problems with how things were run.
What Happens Next
In the next few weeks, the clubs will get together to set the match schedule. They need to plan where the 91-match tournament will be held, how people will get there, and where they will stay. Quickly confirm the rights to broadcast and the sponsorship deals.
The Governing Council Board will be formed before the season starts. Its composition and powers will determine how effectively it can manage the leagues. The board’s first task will be securing long-term commercial partnerships.
ISL clubs will resume training immediately. Most squads remained intact during the suspension. Foreign players who left may not return due to contract issues. Clubs will need to register their final squads with AIFF.
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