ISL 2025-26 Media Rights: Four Bidders Compete for Indian Football's Future

As the Indian Super League (ISL) gears up for its next season, the race for its media rights has become a hot topic. Four parties have shown interest in securing the broadcast rights for the 2025-26 season, adding a layer of excitement to the football scene in India.

Interested Parties

The interested bidders for the ISL media rights RFP for the 2025-26 season include Sony Sports, FanCode, Zee Sports, and UK-based sports consultancy Two Circles. These parties attended the pre-bid conference organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on January 23, 2026.

Eligibility Criteria for Bidders

According to the RFP, only broadcasters or internet-based operators with a minimum of three years of operational experience are eligible to participate. Bidders must also have a net worth of at least Rs. 10 crore in the 2024-25 financial year and an average annual revenue of no less than Rs. 10 crore across the last three completed financial years (2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25). For consortium bids, up to three entities may form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), with one entity acting as the Lead Member and holding at least 51% equity in the SPV's paid-up share capital.

Bid Evaluation and E-Bid Process

The submissions will be assessed under a two-stage evaluation system, with technical bids carrying a 70% weightage and financial bids accounting for the remaining 30%. Only technically compliant bidders will advance to the commercial stage. AIFF has also enforced a strict e-bid process, requiring both technical and financial bids to be submitted via email in password-protected PDF format. The two components must be shared as separate files, with no commercial information included in the technical bid.

Regional and National Implications

The competition for the ISL media rights has significant implications for the North East region, which boasts several ISL teams, including NorthEast United FC, Hyderabad FC, and Chennaiyin FC. The media rights holder will play a crucial role in promoting these teams and Indian football as a whole, potentially reaching a wider audience and attracting more sponsors and investors.

Reflections and Future Outlook

As the ISL 2025-26 season approaches, the competition for its media rights adds a new dimension to the football landscape in India. The four interested parties will have until January 27 to submit written clarification requests, after which the bidding process will move forward. The decision made by the AIFF will significantly impact the future of Indian football, providing opportunities for growth and development.