Supreme Court Orders AIFF to Begin Open Tender for ISL 2025–26 Rights

On September 1^st and 2^nd, 2025, the Supreme Court issued key interim orders in the dispute between the All India Football Federation and Football Sports Development Limited over Indian Super League commercial rights. The bench of Justices P. S. Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi directed AIFF to initiate an open, transparent tender process for its 2025–26 season commercial partner, including the ISL and Super Cup. For administering the tender process, the Court appointed the previous Justice L. Nageswara Rao with the power to hire experts, with a deadline by October 15, 2025, to help maintain continuity for clubs, broadcasters, and sponsors.

Criticically, the Court commended FSDL's relinquishment of its contractual right of first negotiation and "no objection" cooperation, terming the same as a "considered step in the advancement of Indian football". While the short order dealt with tenders and season timing, the Court postponed its final verdict on the AIFF draft constitution, conformant with the awaited National Sports Governance Act, 2025, to a future time.

Originally scheduled for August 28, the hearing on the constitution and renewal of the Master Rights Agreement was adjourned due to the unavailability of senior counsels representing the parties on that day, compelling the bench to reschedule it for September 1 and 2. The Court had pressed on the urgency, quoting FIFA's October 30 deadline for constitutional changes, without however ordering early elections to prevent possible FIFA penalties for third party interference.

These orders lay out an unambiguous roadmap for ISL's punctual launch, institutionalize open governance, and find a balance between judicial supervision and sporting independence.