Why Isn't the ISL Schedule Included in the Domestic Calendar?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The absence of the ISL schedule in AIFF's newly released calendar raises critical questions about the future of Indian football as clubs and fans await clarity on the league's operations amidst ongoing uncertainties.
Key Takeaways
- AIFF's calendar lacks the ISL schedule due to FSDL's delay.
- The Master Rights Agreement is set to expire in December 2025.
- Supreme Court decisions are impacting AIFF's operations.
- Uncertainty affects ISL clubs' pre-season planning.
- Durand Cup will still proceed despite ISL uncertainties.
New Delhi, June 19 (NationPress) The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has unveiled its competition calendar for 2025-26, and notably, there is no reference to the country’s top football league. This exclusion has sparked curiosity and concern among clubs, players, and fans within the Indian football community about the future of the league.
An insider from AIFF shared with IANS that the ISL has not been incorporated in the calendar because its organizers, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), have yet to present a schedule. “The scheduling of the ISL is managed by FSDL. As of now, they have not provided us with the schedule, which is the reason for its absence from the calendar,” the insider explained.
The uncertainty largely arises from the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between AIFF and FSDL — the joint venture between Reliance and Star that oversees the ISL — which is due to expire in December 2025. At this point, the agreement has not been renewed, and no tangible solutions have come from discussions that began earlier this year.
In April, the AIFF Executive Committee set up an eight-member task force to evaluate the future of the MRA; however, no definitive conclusions have been reached.
Complicating matters further is the pending Supreme Court verdict regarding the revised AIFF Constitution, leading to additional administrative delays. “We are currently waiting for the Supreme Court ruling on the new AIFF Constitution. Everything is still uncertain,” the insider remarked.
This deadlock has already started to impact club operations, as several ISL teams have not confirmed their pre-season schedules, raising questions about their involvement in the Durand Cup — India’s oldest football tournament.
“Some ISL clubs have not yet decided when to commence their pre-season training, which jeopardizes their participation in the Durand Cup, as they have informed the organizers. The Durand Cup will proceed, and replacements will be made for any absent teams,” sources indicated.
The revised domestic calendar from AIFF now kicks off with the Durand Cup in July 2025, followed by the Super Cup in September. Traditionally, the Super Cup took place at the conclusion of the ISL season, but with the league’s future uncertain, the tournament has been rescheduled.
Point of View
It's crucial to recognize the impact of the AIFF's decision to omit the ISL from its domestic calendar. This move has left stakeholders, including fans and clubs, in a state of uncertainty. The federation must act swiftly to resolve these issues to maintain the integrity and excitement of Indian football.
NationPress
19/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the ISL schedule missing from the AIFF calendar?
The ISL schedule is absent because its organizers, FSDL, have not yet shared it with the AIFF.
What is the Master Rights Agreement (MRA)?
The MRA is an agreement between AIFF and FSDL that governs the operations of the ISL, set to expire in December 2025.
How does the pending Supreme Court verdict affect the AIFF?
The pending verdict on the revised AIFF Constitution is causing administrative delays that further complicate the situation.
What is the impact on ISL clubs?
Several ISL clubs are unable to finalize their pre-season schedules, affecting their participation in upcoming tournaments like the Durand Cup.
When does the revised domestic calendar start?
The revised domestic calendar begins with the Durand Cup in July 2025.
