Football: Indian Super League Returns on February 14; All Clubs to Participate

New Delhi, Jan 7, 2026: In a major development, the Indian Super League (ISL) will restart on February 14, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya confirmed on Tuesday, 6 January. He also said that all 14 clubs will take part in the tournament.

“There was a lot of speculation about the ISL. Today, the government, the football federation, and all 14 clubs, including Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, held a meeting. We have decided that the ISL will start on February 14, and all clubs will participate,” Mandaviya said.

The Sports Minister also added that the paused I-League will begin around the same time, with all 11 clubs taking part.

All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey spoke after the Minister’s announcement and explained the details. The ISL will have 91 matches played on a home-and-away basis, while the I-League will be reduced to 55 matches.

Funding for the Indian Super League

“A central pool of ₹25 crore has been created only for the conduct of the ISL. Ten per cent of this fund will come from the AIFF. Thirty per cent was supposed to come from a commercial partner, but since we do not have one right now, the AIFF will also cover that share,” Kalyan Chaubey said.

“In total, the AIFF will provide ₹14 crore for the ISL and around ₹3.2 crore for the I-League until we find a commercial partner,” he added.

Indian and Foreign Footballers Speak Up for ISL

Recently, several footballers, including India legend Sunil Chhetri and star players Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sandesh Jhingan, raised their voices to support Indian football amid uncertainty over the Indian Super League.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu said that the ISL is still on hold. “It’s January, and we should be on your screens playing competitive football in the Indian Super League,” he said.

“Instead, we are driven by fear and desperation to say aloud what everyone already knows,” Jhingan added. Chhetri said, “Players, staff, owners, and fans deserve clarity, protection, and most importantly, a future.”

Why Was the ISL Not Started on Time?

In a joint statement, the players made an emotional appeal for help. They said that Indian football is facing a serious crisis and asked FIFA to step in and help save the sport in the country. The players said the appeal was not political but made out of necessity, as the situation has become a sporting, economic, and humanitarian issue.

The ISL was put on hold in July due to uncertainty over the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the tournament organisers.