The delayed Indian Super League will begin on February 14 after all 14 football clubs confirmed their participation, officials said on Wednesday.
The ISL, India’s flagship football competition, is usually played between September and April.
It faced uncertainty as a commercial rights agreement between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited, which operated the ISL, expired on December 9, leaving the league without a sponsor.
Some clubs, including defending champions Mohun Bagan, suspended player salaries and football activities in December.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) plans to take over the management of the ISL from the 2025-26 season as part of a 20-year proposal sent to clubs, according to local media.
“Many clubs had agreed earlier, but the remaining few came on board on Tuesday,” said an AIFF source. AFP under condition of anonymity.
Talks continue to finalize a home-and-away format for a 91-match season after Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced last week that all 14 clubs would play each other.
Launched in 2014 with global stars such as Italy’s Alessandro Del Piero, the ISL franchise aimed to give Indian football a glamorous reboot.
But TV ratings fell and sponsor interest waned.
The AIFF floated a tender for a new business partner under the supervision of a Supreme Court-appointed committee, but found no takers.
Indian football has long struggled to find its place on the world stage despite a passionate fan base and a rich history.
The Indian men’s team occupies a dismal 142nd place in the FIFA world rankings.
