AIFF Hands Indian Super League Commercial Rights to Clubs under New Club‑Led Model

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the 14 Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have signed a landmark agreement that transfers the league’s commercial rights to the clubs for an initial four‑year period. Under the deal, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be created to run day‑to‑day operations, while the AIFF retains regulatory and administrative oversight and will receive 10 % of the league’s net profit.

Each club will pay an annual participation fee of ₹1.1 crore in two instalments (₹55 lakh each), with the first instalment due by 20 July and the second by 14 August. The clubs have a unilateral right to exit the agreement after two years. The new structure mirrors club‑led models used in leagues such as the Premier League and MLS.

The AIFF has asked all clubs to confirm participation and complete the first instalment, and a Request for Proposal will be issued to secure a broadcast partner, with Zee Sports reported as a leading contender. The 2026‑27 ISL season will feature a full home‑and‑away schedule, and OCI players will be treated as foreign players under the revised player‑registration rules.

Key figures at the press conference included AIFF Deputy Secretary‑General M Satyanarayan and the CEOs of FC Goa (Ravi Puskur), NorthEast United (Mandar Tamhane) and Sporting Club Delhi (Dhruv Sood).