Overview
- The Indian Super League has returned to a full home-and-away format with playoffs and opened its 2026-27 campaign with Bengaluru FC facing SC Delhi.
- The All India Football Federation remains the league administrator after the end of the previous long-term commercial partnership and clubs have assumed day-to-day running responsibilities.
- A two-year title sponsorship with MG worth about Rs 25 crore and a reported data-rights deal of roughly ₹15 crore per season have been signed and matches will stream free on YouTube.
- Clubs paid a Rs 1.1 crore participation fee to gain greater influence in league decisions but an anonymous club CEO said assured revenues total about ₹29 crore against an estimated ₹36 crore needed to cover season costs.
- On the pitch, defending champions East Bengal begin under new manager Antonio Lopez Habas, veteran Sunil Chhetri has extended with Bengaluru FC, and teams have shifted toward more Indian players and weekend scheduling to boost attendance.