The All India Football Federation (AIFF) in a statement on Saturday confirmed that the 2025-26 season of the Indian Super League (ISL) has been put on hold. It noted that negotiations regarding the Master Rights Agreement (MRA)—the main contract between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the league’s operator—have been in abeyance since the Supreme Court’s order in April.

The body, however, assured that it will take all possible steps to ensure the continuity of the ISL.

“The AIFF has taken note of the communication issued pertaining to the Indian Super League (ISL), by our partners Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), stating their inability to proceed with the forthcoming season of the ISL in the absence of clarity on FSDL’s continuing rights under a renewed contractual framework,” AIFF said in its statement.

“The AIFF and its stakeholders will take all possible steps, and do all things within their power, to ensure continuity of the ISL in the best interests of Indian football. We request the understanding of all stakeholders in the interim.” it further noted.

ISL usually runs from September till April but the current MRA between FSDL and AIFF is set to expire on 8 December 2025, which is when the tournament would be in its third month. 

FSDL on ISL being put on hold: 

In a statement on Friday, FSDL assured the clubs that it is “monitoring developments closely” and asked for their support while “navigating this period of uncertainty.”

“In this backdrop, we believe it is important for Clubs to be informed of the evolving situation. This communication is being issued by FSDL on a bona-fide basis and in the interest of transparency, to enable all Clubs to plan appropriately for any potential contingencies.”. FSDL said in its statement. 

As per a PTI report, FSDL is a commercial partner of the AIFF, and the two signed a 15-year MRA in 2010. The agreement states that FSDL will pay the AIFF ₹50 crore annually, and in return, it gets the rights to broadcast, manage, and commercialise Indian football, including the rights to the Indian team.