New Delhi: The Supreme Court has approved the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited’s (FSDL) proposal to resume the Indian Super League (ISL) and issue tenders for selecting a commercial partner to organise the league. The move clears the way for the 2025-26 ISL season, which is set to begin with the Super Cup in December.
The proposal, submitted by AIFF and FSDL, outlines two key points: an open tender to appoint a commercial partner for the ISL and the launch of the 2025-26 season starting with the Super Cup. Former Justice Nageswara Rao has been appointed to oversee the tender process, which is expected to be completed by October 15. AFC approval will follow before the season kicks off.
Significantly, FSDL, backed by Reliance, has agreed to waive its right of first negotiation and the right to match the winning bid. This allows other players to enter the Indian football ecosystem if FSDL chooses not to participate or is outbid. Over the last decade, FSDL has been instrumental in transforming the ISL from a short exhibition tournament into India’s premier football league.
The league had been on hold due to unresolved contractual differences between AIFF and FSDL. The 15-year Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the two parties is set to expire at the end of 2025. While negotiations for renewal had taken place between November 2024 and April 2025, AIFF had been restrained from finalising any agreements pending the Supreme Court verdict on its draft constitution case.
The latest approval allows AIFF to proceed with the tender process, ending the earlier Supreme Court instruction to avoid entering any bidding contracts. Timely completion of this process is now crucial for ensuring a smooth start to the upcoming ISL season.
Meanwhile, the court’s judgement on AIFF’s draft constitution, prepared by Justice Rao, is still pending, as it awaits the notification of the National Sports Governance Act 2025. The SC continues to consider submissions and concerns regarding the new legislation.
