ISL, the most glamorous domestic football league in India, has been put on hold amid concerns over the upcoming season of the league. The organiser, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), has decided to postpone the ISL for now.
The decision to postpone the ISL was announced in a letter sent to the clubs participating in the tournament on Friday. The FSDL has also informed the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the highest governing body of Indian football, about this.
In a letter to the clubs, the FSDL said that the Masters Rights Agreement (MRA) signed with them by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) will expire on December 8. This means that even though the ISL starts in September, the agreement will end within a third of the tournament.

Discussions on a new contract began several months ago, but no solution has been reached. In the current situation, since the contract will not be in place after December, FSDL is not willing to plan, organize or commercialize the 2025-26 ISL season.
FSDL wrote in the letter, “In this situation, we are not in a position to work on the 2025-26 season. Therefore, it has been decided to postpone the season until a clear explanation is available regarding the new contract.”
In 2010, FSDL signed a 15-year agreement with AIFF. The federation gets Tk 50 crore every year through this. This is important for running their day-to-day expenses and organizing various leagues. However, the federation cannot sign the MRA at the moment due to the Supreme Court’s order. This cannot be done until the constitution of the federation is finalized in the Supreme Court. A new committee may also be formed after the Supreme Court’s order. In that case, they will sign the agreement with FSDL. It is expected to take a long time.
FAQ
Why has the ISL 2025–26 season been postponed?
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2025–26 season has been postponed because Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) is waiting to finalize a new agreement with the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
What is FSDL?
FSDL (Football Sports Development Limited) is the commercial partner responsible for organizing and managing the ISL in partnership with AIFF.
What is the role of AIFF in ISL?
AIFF (All India Football Federation) is the governing body of football in India. It oversees the official structure and approval of national leagues, including the ISL.
When will the new agreement be signed?
There is no official date yet, but both parties are reportedly in ongoing discussions. The ISL will resume once an agreement is reached.