Copyright timesnownews
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is targeting a January start for India's new football league, following the delay of the ISL tender bid process once again. Sports Now has learnt that the Indian Football governing body is aiming for the start of the football league in January. The league timeline, however, depends on the ongoing bidding process, which has been extended once again. The AIFF has extended the deadline for submitting bids for the Indian Super League (ISL) tender from November 5 to November 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM. A source told Sports Now that the latest change followed requests raised during the pre-bid meeting: "Two bidders asked for an extension in the pre-bid meeting. After all, it is a 15-year deal, and we must keep these things in mind, so we extended it." The pre-bid meeting reportedly saw participation from four to five entities, indicating strong corporate interest in the league. "There is some interest; parties like Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), FanCode, Sportsub, and RAAK Group were part of the discussion," the source added. The new bid submission deadline is Friday, November 7, 2025, by 5 PM, as per the updated tender notice reviewed by Sports Now. Earlier, in August 2025, the AIFF had convened a meeting with Indian Super League (ISL) clubs in New Delhi and reassured the clubs that the top-tier league would be held in the country, as has been the norm over the years. Later, AIFF and the Indian Super League's commercial partner, FSDL, informed the Supreme Court of India on August 28 that the ISL 2025-26 season is scheduled to commence in December 2025. "The AIFF has agreed that: It will conduct an open, competitive and transparent tender (or equivalent process) for selection of a commercial partner to conduct the ISL in line with global best practices," the resolution submitted before the court stated. "Such process will be conducted in conformity with the National Sports Development Code 2011, the National Sports Governance Act 2025, the AIFF Constitution, and applicable FIFA/Asian Football Confederation (AFC) regulations. "The process may be managed by an independent professional firm of repute, such as one of the 'Big Four' or an entity of equivalent standing." AIFF and the FSDL agreed that the process will be concluded by October 15, 2025, thereby providing certainty to clubs, broadcasters, sponsors and other stakeholders.
