AIFF, clubs adopt new commercial model for Indian Super League

The AIFF and the Indian Super League Managing Committee announced a new club-led commercial model under which clubs will hold commercial rights while the federation retains operational oversight. The 2026-27 season will follow a full home-and-away format aligned with FIFA and AFC calendars

Hyderabad: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Managing Committee of the Indian Super League, represented by FC Goa, NorthEast United FC and Sporting Club Delhi, announced in Delhi on Wednesday that the clubs will hold the commercial rights for the Indian Super League going forward, while the AIFF will retain administrative control and oversight of key operational aspects, in a move towards a globally accepted, club-led commercial model.

The press conference was addressed by M Satyanarayan, Deputy Secretary General, AIFF, Akshay Rohatgi, Head of Competitions, AIFF, Ravi Puskur, CEO, FC Goa, Mandar Tamhane, CEO, NorthEast United FC, and Dhruv Sood, CEO, Sporting Club Delhi.

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“From our side, we are fully committed to making this league one of the best in Asia,” said Satyanarayan.

“We are also keeping in mind the recent Supreme Court order and the new National Sports Governance Act.”

Sood concurred, “In SC Delhi’s first season, the Ministry came forward and offered its full support to the league, particularly with regard to the availability of stadiums. The AIFF also did its best to reduce the cost of the league.”

Expanding on the new season, Tamhane said, “It will be a broadcast-driven model. We are moving towards a club-led model because both the clubs and the AIFF believe it is the right approach from the perspective of long-term commercial and financial sustainability.”

Next, the Clubs/Managing Committee will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to secure a broadcast partner and work on sponsorships. The AIFF will send a letter to all 14 clubs asking them to confirm their participation. The 2026-27 season will be held in a home-and-away format.

“We will have a full-fledged season where every team will play its respective home and away matches in a full schedule rather than in a truncated format. We look forward to working collectively with the AIFF to ensure that the league is as successful as it can be,” said Puskur.

The league calendar will be planned around the FIFA Men’s International Match Windows (scheduled for September, October, November and March) and the AFC club competition schedule to ensure the best possible preparation for the national team as well as the participating clubs (FC Goa and East Bengal FC) in continental competitions.

Touching upon the release of players by clubs for the national team, Satyanarayan said, “We have already had several rounds of discussions with the clubs and requested them to release players for a longer period in the national interest. The earlier we move forward with the process, the better we can plan the schedule. We are hopeful this will happen with the cooperation of the clubs, particularly as the league is now being run jointly by the clubs and the AIFF.”