ISL 2026/27 To Begin In September, Focus On OIC Players: Report

Published 9 June 2026 · india

ISL 2026/27 To Begin In September, Focus On OIC Players: Report Published By, Last Updated: June 09, 2026, 20:01 IST The 2026/27 season of the

ISL 2026/27 To Begin In September, Focus On OIC Players: Report Published By, Last Updated: June 09, 2026, 20:01 IST The 2026/27 season of the ISL is likely to get underway on the 4th of September with 14 teams contesting for the title in a home and away format, said reports on Tuesday. Indian Super League. (x) The 2026/27 season of the ISL is likely to get underway on the 4th of September with 14 teams contesting for the title in a home and away format, said reports on Tuesday. Sources added that the sides, who agreed on a club-led initiative, have been asked to focus on Overseas Indian Citizen (OCI) players as the nation looks to bolster its football dreams following their period of uncertainty in the doldrums.

The report comes a day after the ISL club held a crucial meeting with Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who assured all parties that India’s top-tier competition would proceed as scheduled. Mandaviya is reported to have approved the ISL clubs’ club-led model, under which the AIFF will receive ₹15.4 annually, replacing the legacy Genius Sports Framework. The central outcome of the meeting was the finalisation of a new four-year financial framework between the clubs and the AIFF. The discussions, attended by club representatives, the Sports Minister and other dignitaries, are seen as potentially transformative for the future of Indian football as the country seeks to stabilise its football structure. According to the proposal, each club will pay a fixed fee of ₹1.1 crore per season to the All India Football Federation.

This structure is considered workable, given that clubs already maintain their own infrastructure, and a unified agreement is expected to strengthen their position. Significantly, the proposed value of the club-collective exceeds that of the Genius Sports Framework, which was valued at around ₹12.4 crore. The move could have wide-ranging consequences, potentially providing the boost Indian football needs, with clubs assuming greater control under the new system. This is expected to generate higher revenues and ensure that any surplus is reinvested into the sport. The ISL will remain the top-flight league, with the I-League following, and is set for a reboot aimed at preventing a repeat of the crisis years when the national system struggled and the league’s future was uncertain.

The proposed model is also expected to offer greater security to teams and players by providing a more stable framework. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: June 09, 2026, 20:01 IST News sports football ISL 2026/27 To Begin In September, Focus On OIC Players: Report Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...