The upcoming Indian Super League season is set to be postponed. The 2026-27 ISL season was scheduled to kick off on September 4, but Sports Now understands that it has now been delayed to October and is expected to begin by October 15.
“The new ISL season won’t begin in September. Expect it to take place after the international window, where we will face Brazil,” an ISL source said.
Sources close to the development have confirmed to Sports Now that the delay is due to the clubs and the ISL Managing Committee still working to secure the best possible broadcast deal.
Hardly any interest
Till now, only FanCode, an Indian sports streaming platform, have expressed its interest in broadcasting the upcoming ISL season. FanCode expressed their interest in a letter to the federation, but haven’t confirmed their bid yet.
A source close to the development revealed that many ISL clubs prefer to manage production costs themselves, which aligns with FanCode’s interests. FanCode also want the clubs to manage the production.
There has also been zero interest from Zee, which recently broadcast and streamed the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Sony Sports Network also initially expressed its interest, but hasn’t submitted its bid. The last date for bid submission was August 12. Meanwhile, technical bids were opened on August 14 at 11:00 AM. The commercial bids were also opened on August 14 at 1:00 PM IST.
This is the latest in a list of setbacks dealt to Indian football in recent months. The Indian national team have also pulled out of the FIFA ASEAN Cup, due to AIFF’s interest in facing Brazil in an international friendly. The friendly against Brazil is scheduled for October 3, and the AIFF are also in talks with another 2026 World Cup-participating team for a second fixture in that window.
The move hasn’t been welcomed by all sections of fans, with many feeling that the ASEAN Cup would have been better for the national team’s development.