If all goes according to plan, the upcoming Indian Super League is set to begin in October 10, after the FIFA international window. It will be the inaugural season under the club-led model, with the ISL clubs taking responsibility for the commercial rights of the league.
However, the ISL is yet to finalise a broadcast partner. FanCode is currently the only broadcaster to have shown interest. At the same time, the clubs are exploring the possibility of streaming the league on YouTube to expand its visibility if a broadcast deal is not finalised.
Meanwhile, 13 ISL clubs have made the full payment of their participation fees to the AIFF. Newly promoted Diamond Harbour FC, who won the IFL last season, are yet to make their second instalment.
Churchill Brothers, who acquired the ISL rights of Jamshedpur FC and are set to make their debut in the league, have completed the full payment to the AIFF.
However, there are doubts over Diamond Harbour’s participation. The club has been given a deadline of 2pm on Wednesday, August 19, by the AIFF to make the pending payment after missing the previous deadline on August 14.
Following a truncated league last season, the upcoming campaign is expected to begin on October 10, according to sources in the AIFF. Unlike last season, the 2026-27 edition is set to be a full-fledged league and is expected to run until April or May.
The season was initially planned to begin in September, but the absence of a broadcast deal has pushed the start date to October. The league will now begin after the FIFA international window, during which the Indian national team are expected to play another high-profile friendly.
India are scheduled to face five-time world champions Brazil on October 3, while the AIFF is also looking to arrange another fixture against a nation that featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to AIFF sources, the federation has formally written to Cape Verde seeking confirmation for a friendly against India during the FIFA window, which runs from September 21 to October 6.
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