ISL to start from February 14, all clubs to participate: Sports Minister

The Indian Super League will resume on February 14 with all 14 clubs taking part, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Tuesday, bringing an end to weeks of uncertainty surrounding India's top-tier football competition.

The ISL had been on hold due to the absence of a commercial partner and ongoing legal issues, fueling speculation over whether the season would go ahead. That impasse was resolved following a high-level meeting involving the government, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and representatives of the 14 ISL clubs.

"There was a lot of speculation regarding the ISL, but today the government, the football federation and all 14 clubs had a meeting and we have decided that the ISL will start on February 14. All clubs will participate," Mandaviya said. He confirmed that traditional rivals Mohun Bagan and East Bengal would also be part of the season.

The 14 participating clubs are Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammaden FC, Kerala Blasters, FC Goa, Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC, SC Delhi, Bengaluru FC, NorthEast



United FC, Jamshedpur FC, Odisha FC and Inter Kashi.

AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, who was also present at the meeting, outlined the structure and financial framework for the competitions. The ISL will be played in a single-leg home-and-away format under a Swiss module system, producing 91 matches. Logistical planning, he said, is still underway.

Chaubey added that the I-League, which had also been paused, will be staged "around the same time" as the ISL. The second-tier competition will feature all 11 clubs and will be a truncated season comprising 55 matches.

To ensure the smooth conduct of the leagues, a central pool of Rs 25 crore has been created. "Ten percent of this fund will come from the AIFF. Thirty percent was to come from a commercial partner, but since we don't have one right now, the AIFF will pitch in with that contribution," Chaubey said.

"In all, the AIFF will give Rs 14 crore for the ISL and about Rs 3.2 crore for the I-League till we find a commercial partner," he added.