AIFF drops ISL from 2025-26 calendar, future of league in doubt

The All India Football Federation has dropped its top-tier tournament – the Indian Super League – from its roster for 2025–26. The AIFF, in an official release, put out its calendar for 2025–26, which did not feature the competition, which has been running since 2014.

According to media reports, uncertainty looms over the future of the Indian Super League. Several clubs have been informed by the league's organisers that the next season will not begin until there is clarity on the Master Rights Agreement (MRA), According to the Times of India. A MRA is a legal contract that outlines the ownership and usage rights of a product in use, in this case, the ISL. AIFF Calendar for 2025-26

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Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) — a joint venture between Reliance and Star — manages the ISL and serves as the commercial partner of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). According to TOI, the FSDL signed a 15-year MRA with AIFF in 2010, under which it pays the federation either Rs 50 crore annually or 20% of total revenue, whichever is higher. This agreement is set to expire in December 2025.

“Since last week, senior FSDL officials have met club owners individually and informed them that the ISL won’t start unless the MRA’s future is clarified,” a source told TOI.

“It’s well known that the MRA can’t be finalised overnight. And with the Supreme Court expected to rule on the new AIFF Constitution soon, there’s widespread uncertainty,” the source added.

AIFF Competitions Calendar 2025–26

Junior Boys Tier 1 and Tier 2: 10-07-2025 to 31-07-2025

Junior Girls Tier 1 and Tier 2: 10-07-2025 to 31-07-2025

Durand Cup: 15-07-2025 to 23-08-2025

Super Cup/Federation Cup: 01-09-2025 to 20-09-2025

Sub-Junior Girls Tier 1 and Tier 2: 10-08-2025 to 31-08-2025

Senior Women's Group Stage: 01-09-2025 to 20-09-2025

AIFF Elite Youth League (U14/U16/U18): 01-09-2025 to 31-05-2026

Senior Women's Final Round: 01-10-2025 to 15-10-2025

I-League 3: 01-10-2025 to 30-11-2025

I-League: 19-10-2025 to 30-04-2026

Indian Women's League: 25-10-2025 to 30-04-2026

Santosh Trophy Group Stage: 05-12-2025 to 20-12-2025

Santosh Trophy Final Round: 01-01-2026 to 20-01-2026

Indian Women's League 2: 25-01-2026 to 30-04-2026

Beach Soccer Championship: 01-02-2026 to 15-02-2026

Futsal Club Championship: 01-05-2026 to 20-05-2026

Swami Vivekananda U-20 Championship: 01-04-2026 to 31-05-2026

Published By: Kingshuk Kusari Published On: Jun 19, 2025

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