Supreme Court paves way for ISL 2025-26 to kick-off in December; directs AIFF to stick to calendar

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to ensure that the 2025–26 football season commences on time with the Super Cup and other domestic competitions under its control [All India Football Federation v. Rahul Mehra & Ors].

A Bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi also directed the AIFF conduct an open, competitive and transparent tender process for selecting a commercial partner to run the Indian Super League (ISL).

The Court passed the order after AIFF and its long-term commercial partner, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), presented a joint resolution for the upcoming season.

The two entities were locked in uncertainty because of an earlier embargo from the Court, which prevented AIFF from entering fresh binding contracts until its new constitution was finalised. That embargo left the ISL, India’s top-tier league, without clarity on its future.

The Court was informed that both sides agreed that the 2025–26 season would begin with the Super Cup, a domestic tournament directly under AIFF control, to ensure that players and clubs remained active while the ISL process was worked out.

The ISL rights themselves will now be put through an open tender by October 15, 2025, in line with FIFA and AFC regulations, the National Sports Code and the new National Sports Governance Act, 2025.

The Bench recorded that FSDL had waived its contractual rights under the existing master rights agreement, including first negotiation and matching rights, and had issued a no-objection certificate allowing AIFF to bring in a new partner. FSDL also confirmed it had cleared its financial dues and would advance payments if needed to support AIFF in running the season.

To ensure fairness, the Court appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice L Nageswara Rao to oversee the tender process, with the power to appoint professionals to assist him.

Explaining why these directions were necessary, the Court said,

“We direct AIFF to take such measures as may be necessary for timely commencement of football calendar and to maintain competitive continuity for the 2025–2026 season with respect to Super Cup and other competitions under its control."

On the transparency required for ISL rights, the Court highlighted its expectation of global best practices.

“The AIFF shall also issue necessary tenders inviting bids for open, competitive and transparent process for selection of its commercial partner to conduct Indian Super League,” the order stated.

The Bench noted the assurances from both AIFF and FSDL and acknowledged the rare cooperation between the two as a milestone for Indian football.

“We have no hesitation in recording that their collaborative effort is a significant step in the evolution of Indian football. This shared commitment will go a long way in institutionalising domestic, national and international events."

On the larger issue of AIFF’s governance reforms, the Court said that while the draft constitution substantially aligned with the new National Sports Governance Act, 2025, it would consider concerns raised about AIFF’s autonomy before delivering its final judgment.

With this order, the Court cleared the decks for the Super Cup to kick off the season and for the ISL’s future to be decided through a transparent and supervised tender process by mid-October.

The petitioners were represented by Senior Advocate Ranjit Kumar.

The respondents were represented by Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, along with Senior Advocates Raghenth Basant, Neeraj Kishan Kaul, Ritin Rai, and Menaka Guruswamy.

[Read Order]