FanCode has been unveiled as the new media partner of the Indian Super League, fending off heavyweight competition to secure global broadcast rights for the reduced 2025-26 season. The development brings some clarity to a campaign that has been delayed, disrupted and surrounded by uncertainty for more than four months.
The Dream-Sports-owned company submitted two separate proposals – one involving production and the other limited to broadcasting and streaming – both of which crossed the Rs 8.5 crore mark. Following a quality and cost evaluation by the Bid Evaluation Committee, a broadcast-only proposal was selected.
AIFF Deputy General Secretary M Satyanarayan, in his speech after the end of the bidding process, explained the federation’s thinking behind the decision.
“We are delighted to close the ISL media rights process and partner with FanCode, one of India’s leading sports platforms,” said Satyanarayan.
“FanCode’s focus on accessibility and fan experience aligns with our goal to expand the league’s footprint and engage more soccer fans across the country.” he added.
Production duties for the delayed season will be handled by KPS Studios, which has bid over Rs 5 crore. The company has previous experience in producing domestic competitions such as I-League, Durand Cup and Bengal Super League.
Notably, JioStar, the league’s broadcast partner for the past two seasons and part of the ownership group that previously ran the ISL, missed out after submitting a significantly lower bid of around Rs 5 crore. Sony Sports and Zee Sports, despite early interest, did not bid.
When will the ISL return?
After a four-month break that was longer than the international breakThe Indian Super League is finally ready to kick off again. The 2025–26 season will restart on February 14, when clubs will dust off their kits for a shortened, high-speed finish.
This won’t be a full marathon. Instead, the ISL returns in abbreviated mode with 91 matches squeezed into a compact window. Each team will play 13 games, home and away, as the league goes all the way after weeks of uncertainty.
With broadcast and production partners now locked in, the next big drop is the fixture list. The draft schedule is already in place and an official announcement is expected soon.
– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
February 3, 2026
