ISL set to kick off on February 14 with all clubs on board, says Sports Minister

Summary: Union Sports Minister confirms Indian Super League will start February 14 with full participation from all teams.

After months of uncertainty that left Indian football fans on edge, the Indian Super League (ISL) finally has a confirmed start date. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Tuesday that the top-tier league will begin on February 14, 2026, with all 14 participating clubs agreeing to take part. 

The decision brings a long-awaited sense of normalcy to a football calendar that was thrown into disarray last year when the season was put on hold due to the absence of a commercial partner and lingering legal issues. Clubs had raised concerns about the future of the league, and at times it wasn’t clear whether this season would go ahead at all. 

Mandaviya said the government, the All India Football Federation (AIFF), and representatives from all 14 clubs — including traditional rivals like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal — met to resolve the deadlock. He confirmed that everyone had agreed to make the 2025-26 season happen from mid-February. 

Under the revised plan, the ISL will feature 91 matches played on a home-and-away basis, although final fixtures and logistics are still being worked out. Alongside the ISL, the second-tier I-League will also restart around the same time, with all 11 clubs expected to participate in a truncated season. 

AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey explained that a central funding pool of ₹25 crore has been set up to help conduct the league. With no commercial partner secured yet, the federation will contribute part of this amount to ensure the season gets underway. 

The February opener greatly enhances Indian football. The long break and conflicts among officials have frustrated players, teams, and fans, with some even looking for external help to address governance problems.