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AIFF-FSDL Agreement Clears Path: Super Cup in September, ISL to Follow in December

August 28, 2025
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The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial partner Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) on Thursday submitted a joint proposal before the Supreme Court, aiming to end the uncertainty surrounding the future of Indian football. The amicus curiae accepted the resolution, with the court expected to pronounce its judgment on Monday.

As per the proposal, the 2025-26 domestic season will begin with the Super Cup, likely in September, following an adequate pre-season. The Indian Super League (ISL) is scheduled to commence in December, subject to the consent of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The AIFF confirmed that it will issue an open, competitive, and transparent global tender for commercial rights by October 15, in line with FIFA, AFC, and national governance regulations. The tender will be open to all interested entities, including FSDL itself.

 

In a significant move, FSDL has agreed to waive its contractual “right of first negotiation” and “right to match” under the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) signed in 2010, thereby clearing the way for a fresh bidding process. The company has also issued a no-objection certificate to the AIFF for conducting the tender and confirmed it will not contest the transfer of rights to any new partner during the MRA tenure.

On the financial front, FSDL has discharged the July-September rights payment of Rs 12.5 crore under the MRA on August 18 and agreed to advance the final tranche of Rs 12.5 crore, due for October-December, if required by AIFF.

The Supreme Court, which has been monitoring AIFF’s compliance with FIFA and AFC requirements, noted that it is considering the matter seriously and will deliver its ruling early next week.

If the proposal is cleared, Indian football will see its new season officially kick off in September, beginning with the Super Cup, before transitioning into the ISL under a new commercial framework.

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