AIFF Issues Media Rights Request For Proposal For 2025-26 Indian Super League

Last Updated:January 19, 2026, 07:07 IST

All India Football Federation invites bids for Indian Super League 2025-26 broadcast rights; 14 clubs, 91 games, new eligibility rules detailed.

(Credit: X)

The All India Football Federation issued the Request for Proposal document on Sunday, January 18, for broadcast rights of the shortened Indian Super League 2025-26 season, which starts on Saturday, February 14.

The delayed season, featuring all 14 clubs, will include 91 games played on a home-and-away basis. This was finalised after several rounds of negotiation between the AIFF, the clubs and the sports ministry.

The last date for bidders to seek clarifications is January 27, while the deadline for bid submissions is Sunday, February 1.

The bids will be opened on February 2 as per the RFP.

To be eligible, bidders must have a net worth of at least Rs 10 crore ‘at the close of the financial year preceding the Bid Due Date, i.e., FY 2024-2025’. For consortia, the collective net worth of all members should be a minimum of Rs 10 crore.

Bidders must have an average annual revenue of at least Rs 10 crore over the last three completed financial years, i.e., FY 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25.

They should also have at least three years of experience in broadcasting or streaming live sporting events of national or international repute before the Bid Submission Date.

Additionally, bidders must have managed the production and/or distribution of live broadcast feeds for at least one event sanctioned by a national sports federation or one professional sports league in India for a minimum of two full seasons.

Bidders must provide a security/earnest money deposit (EMD) of Rs 5 lakh, valid for 45 days from the Bid Due Date.

They must be legally incorporated under Indian laws and be an existing entity in the country. Foreign entities can participate if they are validly incorporated and registered under their jurisdiction’s applicable laws.

If a foreign entity is part of a consortium, the Lead Member must be incorporated in India or commit to establishing a subsidiary in India before executing the contract with AIFF.

Foreign entities bidding independently must submit an affidavit confirming they will establish a subsidiary or branch office in India before executing the contract and will obtain all necessary permissions for Broadcast Services.

The ISL 2025-26 faced disruption after its previous organiser and AIFF’s former commercial partner, FSDL, terminated the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) on December 8 last year, following a renewal disagreement.

The AIFF issued a tender for a new commercial partner under the supervision of a Supreme Court-appointed committee, but no bids were received.

However, after the sports minister’s intervention and tough negotiations, all 14 clubs confirmed participation in the shortened ISL season. Each club will play 13 matches, and the fixtures are expected to be announced soon.

The ISL clubs must share 60 per cent of the financial cost (around Rs 1 crore per club) for the league to commence after a nearly six-month hiatus. The total cost for the upcoming season is estimated at Rs 25 crore by the AIFF.

(With PTI Inputs)

News sports football AIFF Issues Media Rights Request For Proposal For 2025-26 Indian Super League

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