When Will Indian Super League Resume? New ISL Model, Venues and Clubs

The uncertainty over the 2025/26 Indian Super League season seems to be diminishing as there is more clarity coming in around the ISL starting date 2025-26, as the Indian football fans crave for the beginning of the new campaign. Now, with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) constitution rules all finalized, the federation and the ISL clubs are reportedly in final discussions over when will ISL 2025-26 start and the Indian Super League new model as well.

When Will ISL 2025-26 Start?

The Indian Super League 2025/26 season has been significantly delayed because of the expiration of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) that was signed between the AIFF and the FSDL (Football Sports Development Limited), who were responsible for organizing and operating the league since 2014. Now, the AIFF are locked in conversations with the ISL clubs to come up with the ISL starting date 2025-26 season.

It appears that the parties might be close to deciding the ISL starting date 2025-26 as well. While a particular date for when will ISL 2025-26 start has not been finalized yet, it's being reported that the organizers are thinking of starting the 2025/26 ISL campaign in early February (2026). Moreover, for the ISL starting date 2025-26, it appears that a starting date of anything between February 5 and February 7 is being discussed between the respective parties.

What is New ISL Model?

When it comes to the Indian Super League new model, a new structure is being discussed to ensure that the 2025/26 ISL campaign can be finished with all teams getting as many matches as possible to be held in a short period. With the AFC (Asian Football Federation) regulations insisting that a league campaign has to finish by May 31 (2026), there are discussions ongoing to confirm the Indian Super League new model.

It's also being reported that there is a plan to hold 84 matches in the league phase of the 2025/26 ISL league phase campaign. As part of the Indian Super League new model, every team will be guaranteed to play at least 12 matches in the league phase, and the team to finish the league phase with the most points will be the ISL League Shield winner. Moreover, the top-4 will be progressing to the knockout stages, where two single-legged semifinals will be followed by the ISL final. As a result, the team that gets into the final has the chance to play as many as 15 matches in the 2025/26 ISL season.

What is the New ISL 2025-26 Module?

When it comes to the ISL Venues, an interesting new method is being planned to replace the normal home-and-away matches rule. As the 2025/26 ISL campaign will be a shortened one, the organizers are planning for the matches to be held in two or three centralised venues.

This means the ISL venues for the 2025/26 season will be restricted to two or three specific cities, with teams from a certain zone being separated into the three venues to play all their league phase matches before the knockout stage matches happen in a centralised venue. With time running out, the ISL clubs and AIFF are working hard to finalize details to ensure the 2025/26 ISL campaign can at least take place for the entertainment of the fans.

The 2025-26 ISL is also expected to be a 14-team affair, as long as every team commits to participating in it. Inter Kashi is poised to be the latest addition to the league, after they won the 2024/25 I-League title and earned promotion into the top division.

Mohun Bagan are the defending champions of the ISL, having won the ISL double last season. They are likely to be joined by the likes of Mumbai City FC, Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, East Bengal FC, Jamshedpur FC, Odisha FC, NorthEast United, Kerala Blasters, Punjab FC, Chennaiyin FC, Mohammedan Sporting, and the new Sporting Delhi (formerly Hyderabad FC) in the 2025-26 ISL.