AIFF takes big steps for Indian football: ISL tender plan and Super Cup 2025 confirmed

The Executive Committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) met virtually on Saturday, September 6 and took some important decisions for Indian football. One of the big moves was the approval of the Request for Quotation (RFQ) process to pick an agency that will help manage AIFF’s commercial properties, including the Indian Super League (ISL) for a limited time, as directed by the Supreme Court.

AIFF takes big steps to resume domestic season

The AIFF’s current commercial partner, the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), had put the ISL 2025-26 season on hold over the non-renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA), which is set to expire in December 2025. It was due to the ongoing case in the Supreme Court regarding the AIFF constitution. The SC had asked AIFF not to take any major decisions until a verdict in the case is made.

After ISL clubs asked the Court to let AIFF take the decision on the MRA, the Court told AIFF and FSDL to hold talks and submit a proposal before the hearing on August 28. The two sides met on August 25 in Bengaluru and came up with a plan that included holding a tender to select a commercial partner to run the ISL.

The AIFF has formed a three-member Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) to make sure the tender process is fair. It will be chaired by former Supreme Court Judge Justice L. Nageswara Rao, along with AFC’s Audit & Compliance Committee member Kesavaran Murugasu, and AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey.

“To oversee the selection process, the Executive Committee resolved to form a three-member Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC). The BEC will be chaired by Hon’ble Justice L. Nageswara Rao, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, Mr. Kesavaran Murugasu, member, Audit & Compliance Committee, Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and Mr. Kalyan Chaubey, President, All India Football Federation (AIFF),” the statement read.

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The AIFF also decided that the MRA Task Force Committee, which was created earlier this year in April, will continue to act as the Tender Committee. “Additionally, the AIFF’s MRA Task Force Committee, which was constituted at the AIFF Executive Committee meeting on April 7, 2025, will continue as the Tender Committee to evaluate the recommendations of the professional services firm.”

Another big announcement was about Indian football’s domestic competition. The AIFF confirmed that the Super Cup will be held from October 25 to November 22 and will be conducted in a phased manner.