The Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26, the 12th season of the top-tier league, is all set to begin today, i.e., February 14, with defending ISL champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) hosting Kerala Blasters (KBFC) at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) had initially excluded the ISL from the 2025-26 domestic schedule due to uncertainties over the league’s future.
Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), which ran the league, had its Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with the AIFF end on December 8, 2025. Later, the two entities were unable to agree on an extension, casting the league’s immediate survival in doubt and compromising the livelihoods of thousands, including players, referees, match officials, grounds personnel, and others who rely on the ecosystem.
However, once the Indian sports government intervened, the ISL was resurrected.
The 12th edition will feature 14 clubs, including Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, SC Delhi, East Bengal FC, FC Goa, Inter Kashi FC, Jamshedpur FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Mohammedan SC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC, Odisha FC, and Punjab FC. Inter Kashi were promoted after winning the 2024-25 I-League season, and Hyderabad FC moved and rechristened as Sporting Club Delhi.
Due to the late start, the season will be cut short. Instead of the conventional home-and-away format followed by playoffs, all 14 clubs will meet each other once, with the table-toppers being named champions. The campaign will have 91 matches, including the highly anticipated Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal on May 3.
The ISL 2025-26 champions will go to the preliminary round of the AFC Champions League Two 2026-27. However, if Mohun Bagan (now banned from AFC tournaments) or FC Goa (who have already qualified through the Super Cup) win the title, the continental place would go to the runners-up. The lowest-placed team will be demoted to the renamed Indian Football League (I-League).
Where to Watch:
The ISL 2025-26 will be live-streamed on Fancode in India. Details regarding the TV broadcast will be updated as they become available.
A fresh tender for media rights was floated, and FanCode eventually bagged the broadcasting rights for INR 8.62 crore. Kaleidoscope Services took the production rights for INR 5.2 crore.
Notably, the media rights have heavily plummeted, from INR 1.69 crore a match to INR 9.5 lakh per game, a 94.4 percent drop.
