Credit: ISL
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 will be the 12th season of the tournament and the 30th season of top-tier Indian football. The Mohun Bagan Super Giants are the defending champions and league shield winners of the previous campaign.The ISL was inaugurated in the year 2014 in India to promote the sport of football and grow the popularity of the sport in India. It has successfully completed 11 seasons till now and has helped in developing the grassroot programs and has played a role in improving the ecosystem of Football in India.
However, latest reports in the media suggest that the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), who are the organisers of the league, have informed the ISL clubs that the 2025-26 edition of the Indian Super League is kept on hold for now. It will not commence until there is clarity over the status of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) signed with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in regards to the contractual structure beyond end of current MRA term. It places the country’s top-tier competition in uncertainty and leaving the Indian football fans sad and disheartened.
Future of the Indian Super League remains uncertain
The letter by the FSDL stated that, “While discussions between FSDL and AIFF on the potential renewal of the MRA were initiated several months ago, they remain inconclusive at this time. In the absence of a confirmed contractual framework beyond December, we find ourselves unable to effectively plan, organise, or commercialise the 2025-26 ISL season.”
Because of this situation, the FDSL stated that they would be unable to proceed with the next edition of the ISL. It has been kept on hold after a lot of consideration. The FSDL also informed that this step was not at all taken lightly and until the further clarifications they have informed the clubs that the season will be kept on hold.
