Indian football once again finds itself at a defining moment as the All India Football Federation has reopened bids for the commercial rights of the Indian Super League. After last season’s debacle, the process has resumed with renewed interest, but also with lingering doubts that it will go smoothly this time around.
There were two serious contenders for the men’s package. Genius Sports submitted a massive offer of Rs 2,129 crore for the 20-year cycle, while FanCode submitted an offer worth around Rs 1,190 crore. The difference between the two bids is significant, but more importantly, the mere presence of multiple bidders marks a shift from last year’s failed process.
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The store structure has also been redesigned. The contract is set for a basic period of 15 years with an option to extend it for another five years. There is also a 5 percent annual increase in value clause built in, offering a more stable long-term financial model compared to the uncertainty that surrounded the previous tender.
On the women’s side, Capri Sports is the only bidder to bid Rs 150 crore for the Indian Women’s League and its second division. Another significant change in this cycle is the separation of men’s and women’s rights into different packages.
All of this comes after a season where the very future of the league was in jeopardy. With strong numbers now on the table, the focus shifts to whether the federation can translate this into a stable and transparent deal or risk a return to the same problems that plagued the system last year.
WHAT WAS THE AIFF ISL MEDIA RIGHTS DISPUTE?
The background of this process is last year’s collapse. The end of the main rights deal between the AIFF and the FSDL triggered a crisis that the federation was struggling to manage.
The initial tender for the long-term rights did not attract any bids. High financial expectations, centralized control and lack of transparency pushed away potential applicants. The result was a five-month delay to the 2025–26 season, which eventually began in a shortened format with just 91 games.
Clubs faced uncertainty, with some even suspending operations, while some openly criticized the federation’s handling of the situation. The season started only after external intervention and then the broadcast rights were sold at a significantly reduced value. Confidence in the system took a big hit.
WHAT’S NEW IN ISL RIGHTS OFFERS?
This cycle brings several clear changes in the way rights have been structured and presented:
- Long-term clarity: 15-year basic contract with the possibility of a 5-year extension
- Built-in growth model: 5% annual increase in value
- Package Breakdown: Separate offers for men’s and women’s competitions
- Packaged Men’s Rights: ISL and Federation Cup in one package
- Focus on women: Dedicated Indian Women’s League and IWL 2 Pack
The intention this time is to offer more predictability and structure, which was lacking in the previous cycle.
Notably, the Indian Football League was left out of this tender, raising questions about how the league’s wider structure is planned.
WHAT ARE THE ISSUES IN THE NEW ISL OFFER?
Despite the improved structure, there are still a few concerns about the process:
- Lack of transparency: The request for proposal (RFP) is not publicly available, the price is Rs 2.5 lakh
- Indian Football League Excluded: It is not clear about the second level integration
- Lack of trust remains: Clubs are cautious after last season’s financial uncertainty
- Centralized management refers to: Similar problems that marred previous tenders still persist
- Foreclosure risk: Past delays raise doubts about timely decision-making
These factors suggest that while the structure looks better, the key issues of governance and trust have not yet been fully resolved.
CAN SOMETHING CHANGE FOR THE GOOD THIS TIME?
There is cautious optimism. The offers, especially from a global player like Genius Sports, show that the ISL still has value.
But Indian football has reached this point before. The difference this time will depend on how the AIFF executes the deal. Clear communication, financial discipline and stakeholder trust will be key.
If handled well, it could stabilize the league in the long run. If not, there is still the risk of a repeat of last season’s chaos.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
March 28, 2026 11:05 AM IST
