Indian football returns this February with full club participation

Football enthusiasts across India, including the passionate fans in Odisha, finally have a reason to cheer. After a period of uncertainty that left the national football calendar in limbo, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has officially announced that the Indian Super League (ISL) will kick off on February 14, 2026.

This decision comes after a high-level meeting involving the government, the All India Football Federation (AIFF), and representatives from all 14 participating clubs, including iconic teams like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. The league had been on a temporary hiatus due to challenges in securing a commercial partner, but the government’s intervention has now cleared the path for the action to resume.

Alongside the ISL, the I-League is also set to return around the same timeframe. While the ISL will feature all 14 clubs playing a total of 91 matches on a traditional home-and-away basis, the I-League will follow a truncated format consisting of 55 matches featuring 11 clubs.

Addressing the financial hurdles, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey explained that a central pool of ₹25 crore has been established to facilitate the ISL's operations. Since a commercial partner is yet to be finalized, the AIFF has stepped up to bridge the gap. The federation will contribute approximately ₹14 crore for the ISL and ₹3.2 crore for the I-League to ensure the players and fans don't lose an entire season.

To ensure better management and financial stability moving forward, the authorities plan to establish a Governing Council Board. This body will be granted the power to handle all commercial decisions and long-term planning for the leagues. For fans of Odisha FC and other regional powerhouses, this announcement brings much-needed clarity as the countdown to February 14 begins.