With the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announcing tentative fixtures for the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season on its official website, while issuing clarifications to interested bidders for the league’s production and broadcast rights, one thing is now certain: the 2025–26 ISL season will kick off on February 14.
Reigning champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant, on the heels of their back-to-back titles, are set to host Kerala Blasters in the opening fixture at home. Super Cup winners FC Goa will begin their campaign against newly promoted Inter Kashi, while on February 16, East Bengal will face NorthEast United FC. The much-anticipated Kolkata derby has been scheduled for May 3. The fixture list has been approved until May 11.
However, despite the clarity on dates and marquee fixtures, a major question continues to hang over the league: will relegation be implemented this season?
The upcoming ISL season is set to be played in a truncated format, with each team scheduled to play 13 matches. While promotion has been in place since the 2022–23 season, relegation has never been implemented since the league’s inception in 2014. That uncertainty has resurfaced sharply this year.
The issue gains further significance as the ISL will, for the first time, be run directly by the federation. In October 2025, AIFF adopted a new constitution that mandates direct ownership and operational control of the ISL by the federation. Governance now rests with an AIFF-led Governing Council, ending private ownership of the top-tier league and formally introducing a promotion and relegation framework.
On January 6, 2026, after Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the ISL start date, several clubs confirmed their participation, while a few did so conditionally. Among the key concerns raised was relegation.
Clubs argue that the financial strain this season is already significant. With a delayed start of nearly four to five months, reduced home matches due to the truncated format, and the absence of clarity over commercial and broadcast partners, teams have had to shoulder player and staff salaries even while the league remained in limbo. These factors have resulted in considerable losses for many clubs.
As a result, clubs such as Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC, Mohammedan SC, FC Goa, Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters have explored the options of fielding either all-Indian squads or reducing the number of foreign players in order to manage costs and make participation sustainable.
Yet, the uncertainty around relegation remains unresolved. The AIFF is yet to approach the Supreme Court seeking a one-season exemption from relegation for 2025–26. It also remains to be seen whether the federation would seek amendments to a constitution it adopted only months ago.
With no firm assurance in place, clubs are now planning for the worst-case scenario.
Jamshedpur FC, for instance, have taken a decisive step by bringing back Owen Coyle, the coach who guided the club to their maiden ISL Shield.
“This season, with relegation still a factor, we needed to be careful, which led to this decision. Owen has done a fantastic job with us in the past, and we are happy to have him back,” Jamshedpur FC CEO Mukul Choudhari told RevSportz.
Kerala Blasters, meanwhile, have made three notable foreign signings ahead of the season, roping in French winger Kévin Yoke, German attacker Marlon Roos Trujillo and Spanish defensive midfielder Matías Hernández from Gokulam Kerala FC. Explaining the club’s approach, the Blasters’ CEO said the club has opted for foreign players who are “hungry for opportunities and eager to prove themselves while also serving as a safeguard should relegation remain in place.”
Newly promoted Inter Kashi, on the other hand, have taken a more assertive route. The club have completed four foreign signings, bringing in Spanish goalkeeper Lluís Tarrés, midfielder Sergio Llamas, winger Alfred Planas, and re-signing centre-back David Humanes from their sister club. Along with Indian signings and with Spanish forward Mario Barco already part of the squad, Inter Kashi appear intent on competing strongly rather than merely surviving in their debut ISL season.
With just three weeks to go before kickoff, clarity on relegation remains the missing piece. If the issue is not resolved soon, it would not be surprising to see more clubs adopt cautious squad-building strategies.
Also Read: “This team feels different, and that’s why I’m here” : Amelia Valverde
