The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has informed all Indian Super League (ISL) clubs that it will not pay anything again for the ongoing ISL season, but has warned of stiff penalties if they delay payment of participation fees.
In a letter sent to clubs on Thursday, the Federation outlined the financial plan for the ongoing ISL season, which has a budget of Rs. 26.23 Cr. (including Rs. 7.92 Cr. in prize money and production costs), which also underlines the payment structure for clubs.
The financial statement shows that the Federation will not infuse any new funds this season, but will inject Rs. 3,448 Cr.
According to the magazine, FanCodethe broadcast and streaming rights holder of ISL, has paid Rs. 8.62 Cr., of which 60 percent is Rs. 5,172 Cr. collected by clubs, while the remaining 40 percent is obtained by the AIFF.
When the savings and club dues are taken into account, the payment from each club is approximately Rs. 1.3 Cr., which amounts to Rs. 93, 84, 286, after reviewing FanCode’s payment.
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It is this outstanding amount that the clubs must pay in four installments from next month. The Federation underlined the payment dates as follows:
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March 5: Rs. 30 lakhs
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Between March 28 and April 4: Rs. 30 lakhs
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May 1: Rs. 20 lakhs
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Balance payment, if applicable: After reconciliation of accounts as determined by AIFF
If the clubs fail to pay on time, the AIFF will charge one lakh per day for each day of delay, subject to a maximum of seven days.
If the club still fails to pay its dues, the Federation would issue a ‘disqualification letter’ to declare the club in default, with the club still being given four days to make the payments. Failure to do so will result in the team being disqualified from participating in the next ISL season.
«The decision of the AIFF in this regard would be final, binding and non-appealable,» the letter states.
The ongoing ISL season will be played in a shortened 91-match campaign comprising single-leg round-robin matches between February 14 and May 17.
Published on February 27, 2026
