The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and ISL organizers announced a comprehensive restructuring plan for Indian club football on Monday. The blueprint, developed in consultation with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation, aims to make the ISL a truly national league by 2028.
Key Changes
The league will expand from 12 to 16 teams over two seasons, with new franchises confirmed for Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Pune, and Chandigarh. Most significantly, a promotion-relegation mechanism linking the ISL with the I-League will be implemented from the 2027-28 season.
Every ISL club will be required to operate a residential academy for players aged 14-18, with minimum investment thresholds to ensure quality. Foreign player slots will be gradually reduced from six to four, incentivizing the development of Indian talent.
Financial Framework
- New franchise fee set at ₹300 crore
- Salary cap introduced at ₹45 crore per season
- Central broadcasting revenue to be shared equally among all clubs
- Mandatory youth development spending: 15% of annual budget
"Indian football is at an inflection point. These reforms create the structure needed for sustainable growth and genuine competitiveness at the Asian level," said AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey.
The announcement has been broadly welcomed by clubs and fans, though some smaller I-League teams have expressed concern about the financial requirements for promotion. FIFA has offered technical support for the transition.
