In a significant development for Indian football, thirteen of the fourteen Indian Super League clubs have presented a set of conditions to the All India Football Federation for their participation in the delayed 2025-26 season. The clubs have stated they "may be ready and willing" to compete only if the AIFF waives the participation fee and assumes financial responsibility for the truncated league's operational costs.
Key Demands for League Participation
The clubs, in a letter dated Thursday, have outlined several non-negotiable terms. Central to their demands is the complete removal of any participation fee for the upcoming season. They argue that given the proposed shortened format, the lack of a settled commercial revenue model, and the principles of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 (NSGA), imposing a fee would be disproportionate.
Furthermore, the clubs have insisted that the AIFF, as the league's rights holder, must bear the financial burden for all league-level organisational and operational expenses. This is to be applicable until a commercial partner or broadcaster is formally appointed. The clubs have committed to covering only their own team-related and routine operational costs, ensuring they are not exposed to open-ended financial liabilities.
Roadmap for Sustainability and Government Support
Beyond immediate financial relief, the clubs have requested a "clear, time-bound roadmap" from the AIFF. This roadmap must detail the execution of a long-term plan, including timelines for appointing commercial partners, finalising revenue-sharing models, and transitioning to a self-sustaining league structure compliant with governance norms.
In a bid to minimise costs, the clubs have urged the AIFF to actively seek commercial or institutional support from the Government of India. They view this as essential for making the interim 2025-26 season sustainable and preserving the sport's integrity during this transitional phase.
AFC Champions League Eligibility and Conciliatory Tone
The delayed start of the ISL 2025-26 season presents a major competitive hurdle. It is now certain that clubs will be unable to play the mandatory 24 matches (including league and domestic cup) required to be eligible for the AFC Champions League 2. In their communication, the clubs had previously urged the AIFF to request a one-time relaxation of this rule from the Asian Football Confederation.
Despite the firm stance, the clubs adopted a conciliatory tone in their letter, penned by Sporting Club Delhi CEO Dhruv Sood. They emphasized that their approach is guided by good faith, financial discipline, and adherence to modern sports governance standards. "The objective has not been to delay or obstruct the season, but to ensure that participation occurs within a framework that is lawful, proportionate, and sustainable," the letter stated.
The clubs also expressed willingness for a constructive meeting with stakeholders on January 3, 2026, ahead of the Supreme Court's reopening. This move comes after the AIFF's Wednesday directive, which gave clubs a one-day deadline to confirm participation so it could inform the Asian body about the exact match count.
The thirteen clubs represented in the letter are: Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal, Kerala Blasters, FC Goa, Sporting Club Delhi, Bengaluru FC, Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC, Mohammedan Sporting, Punjab FC, Inter Kashi, North East United FC, and Odisha FC. Jamshedpur FC was the only club not represented.
