The Indian Super League is officially back after months of uncertainty and will now kick off in December 2025.
The Supreme Court’s intervention finally brought clarity, settling the AIFF–FSDL dispute that nearly derailed the competition. Clubs, players, and fans can breathe easy knowing continuity is secured.
This season arrives later than usual, but the stakes are higher than ever with AFC qualification spots, rising young stars, and heavyweight rivalries set to headline.
In this article, I’ve broken down everything you need to know, from teams and transfers to past winners, finances, key players, and what lies ahead for Indian football.
Keep reading to get the full picture of ISL Season 12.
What Is The Indian Super League?
The Indian Super League (ISL) is India’s best football competition, which started back in 2014 with #letsfootball. It was made with the goal to stage Indian talent in professional-level football, in response to the growing love and support for the sport.
Initially, the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) used to operate the league. FDSL was a joint venture between Reliance Industries and Star Sports. But now it is being taken over by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Apart from the big shift in management, ISL has also seen growth in participation and support. They started with eight city-
based teams and now have 13. This huge growth has also made ISL be recognized as the top football competition in India, globally.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the body that governs football in Asia, has recognized ISL by giving the top two teams of ISL the chance to play in the AFC Champions League Two.
AFC Champions League Two is a spot above the AFC Challenge League, and a spot right below the AFC Champions League Elite.
When Will The Indian Super League 2025-26 Start?
The new ISL season won’t begin until December 2025, a couple of months later than fans are used to. Organisers have pushed it back to line up neatly with the Asian Football Confederation calendar.
The ISL 2025 fixtures are expected to be announced by October, giving clubs less time to prepare, but the league itself will still run in full.
Why Was ISL Season 12 on Hold?
In 2010, FDSL signed an agreement with AIFF that gave it the full commercial rights of the ISL. Since this was only a 15-year agreement, it expires this December 2025.
However, since the contract expiration was approaching, both parties had a dispute over what would come next. This was taken to court, which delayed the League and almost prevented it from happening this year.
The impact was immediate, with some teams, like Bengaluru FC, unable to meet their salaries. And because of the unforeseeable future, the ISL team almost decided to play in the Indian Super Cup starting in October.
But ironically, now even the Super Cup is in the air, with the question of when it is going to start, and the court has ordered a go-ahead for the ISL to continue. And continue it will.
With this, the global consultancy KPMG is now overseeing the process of finding a new long-term commercial partner.
Indian Super League Season 12 – Teams Playing
All 13 ISL clubs return for the 2025–26 season. No new expansion teams confirmed, though several sides enter continental competitions through the AFC Champions League and League Two slots.
| Club | Captain (2024-25) | Owner(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru FC | Sunil Chhetri | JSW Group | No recent ISL Cup win |
| Chennaiyin FC | Ryan Edwards | Abhishek Bachchan, MS Dhoni, Vita Dani | Two-time ISL Cup winners (2015, 2017-18) |
| East Bengal FC | Cleiton Silva | Emami East Bengal FC Pvt. Ltd. | Historic club, strong fanbase |
| FC Goa | Odei Onaindia | Jaydev Mody, Akshay Tandon, Virat Kohli | Consistent performers |
| Hyderabad FC | Alex Saji | Vijay Madduri, Varun Tripuraneni | Won ISL Cup in 2021-22 |
| Jamshedpur FC | Javi Hernández | Tata Steel | Strong corporate backing |
| Kerala Blasters FC | Adrián Luna | Magnum Sports Pvt. Ltd. | Huge fanbase but won ISL Cup yet. |
| Mohun Bagan Super Giant | Subhasish Bose | Kolkata Games & Sports Pvt. Ltd, Mohun Bagan Athletic Club | Defending ISL champions (2024-25) |
| Mumbai City FC | Lallianzuala Chhangte | City Football Group, Ranbir Kapoor, Bimal Parekh | Two-time champions |
| NorthEast United FC | Míchel Zabaco | John Abraham, Jaya Balan | Mixed performers |
| Odisha FC | Amrinder Singh | GMS Inc. | ISL champions in 2024-25 |
| Punjab FC | Nikhil Prabhu | RoundGlass Sports Pvt. Ltd. | 12th entry, promoted from I-League in 2023-24 |
| Mohammedan SC | Pukhrambam Dinesh Meitei (Durand Cup) | Mohammedan SC Club | Newest Entry, Legacy Club, promoted from I-League in 2024-25 |
Bengaluru FC’s academy pipeline remains among the best in India, regularly feeding the national team. Chennaiyin, despite struggles, is focused on rebuilding with overseas recruits.
East Bengal’s supporters ensured record attendances last year, even during inconsistent form.
FC Goa’s strong Spanish coaching influence continues to deliver continental spots, with qualification to the AFC League Two. This consistency also proves their constant dedication to the sport with their own Goa football association.
Hyderabad is attempting financial stabilization after ownership shifts, with youth prospects central to its revival.
Jamshedpur, as a club, really relies on Tata’s own network and infrastructure, which gives them consistent campaigns. Kerala Blasters, on the other hand, have loads of crowd support, but still have the pressure of winning a trophy.
Mohun Bagan is a consistently remarkable team that won the season 11 in 2024-25 ISL and is also now participating in the AFC Champions League alongside Goa.
Mumbai City remains backed by City Football Group’s resources, ensuring squad depth for domestic and continental competition. NorthEast United has invested in regional talent pathways.
Odisha, fresh off its maiden title, balances glory with financial scrutiny. Punjab FC continues its growth, consolidating after its debut season at the top level.
Indian Super League 2025–26 Transfers: Players Moving In Clubs
The ISL summer window opened on 12 June 2025, and clubs immediately went to work. Here is a list of confirmed player transfers and re-signings.
| Player | Club | Retained/New Club |
|---|---|---|
| Shivaldo Singh | Bengaluru FC | Retained |
| Lalremtluanga Fanai | Bengaluru FC | Retained |
| Naorem Roshan Singh | Bengaluru FC | Retained |
| Jiteshwor Singh | Chennaiyin FC | Retained |
| Amey Ranawade | Kerala Blasters FC | Mumbai City FC |
| Arsh Shaikh | Kerala Blasters FC | Mohun Bagan Super Giant |
| Zothunpuia | Mumbai City FC | Aizawl FC |
| Lalnuntluanga Bawitlung | Mumbai City FC | Sreenidi Deccan FC |
| Tiri | Mumbai City FC | Retained |
| Tom Aldred | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | Retained |
| Lalrinzuala Hanhaur | NorthEast United FC | Aizawl FC |
| Bekey Oram | NorthEast United FC | Retained |
| Macarton Nickson | NorthEast United FC | Retained |
| Dinesh Singh | NorthEast United FC | Retained |
| Fredy Chawngthansanga | NorthEast United FC | Retained |
| Alaaeddine Ajaraie | NorthEast United FC | Retained |
| Lalrinfela Khiangte | Odisha FC | Mohammedan SC |
| Saviour Gama | Odisha FC | Retained |
| Thoiba Singh | Odisha FC | Retained |
| Muhammed Uvais | Punjab FC | Jamshedpur FC |
The table does not include confirmed players leaving, but the list is long!
The biggest early headline was Roy Krishna leaving Odisha FC, a move that unsettled their front line, followed by Jorge Pereyra Díaz’s exit from Bengaluru FC, which left Simon Grayson’s side short on forwards.
The other major story at the top was about Mohun Bagan Super Giant choosing only one confirmed re-signing with Tom Alfred till now, while Bengaluru FC extended Shivaldo Singh, Lalremtluanga Fanai, and Naorem Roshan Singh’s contract, keeping the three on for at least one more season.
Elsewhere, the market showed ambition. Kerala Blasters brought in foreign attackers after another season without silverware.
Mumbai City FC, leveraging City Football Group’s scouting system, added overseas reinforcements to ease the load on Lallianzuala Chhangte.
East Bengal FC probably had the busiest few weeks, announcing half a dozen end of contracts.
The speed and scale of business underlined one message, and that is that clubs expect a full league season ahead.
Recap Of Indian Super League Season 11 2024-25
Season 11 finished with Mohun Bagan Super Giant crowned champions, after a tight win over Bengaluru FC in the final.
ISL Season 11 final recap:
The Kolkata side leaned on Subhasish Bose’s leadership at the back, while Vishal Kaith in goal pulled off two big saves late on to hold the advantage.
Bengaluru were not passive. Sunil Chhetri kept dragging them forward, Javi Hernández found pockets of space, and the game stayed alive until the last few minutes.
In the end, Mohun Bagan had just enough control to see it through, leaving Bengaluru ruing missed chances.
ISL Season 11 recap:
The season as a whole was one of records and numbers. 163 games were played, producing 468 goals, an average of 2.87 per match. Teams combined for 3,327 shots and carved out 291 assists.
Midfield battles dominated, with 16,732 recoveries and 2,908 interceptions recorded. Defenders produced 3,514 tackles won, while keepers kept 88 clean sheets across the campaign.
It was also physical. There were 14,452 duels won, 698 yellow cards, and 41 reds, underlining how contested many fixtures became. Odisha’s short title defence faltered mid-season, while NorthEast United’s Ajaraie scored 23 goals, the league’s best tally.
Chennaiyin and Kerala Blasters had memorable comebacks but no silverware. The newest entrants, Mohammedan SC, failed to leave any mark.
The numbers tell one story, the noise in the stands another. Season 11 showed Indian football is now both unpredictable and unforgiving.
Indian Super League Winners In The Past 5 Years
The past five seasons have been split between a handful of clubs, with Mumbai City, Mohun Bagan, and Hyderabad setting the competitive tone.
| Season | Champion | Runner-Up | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | Bengaluru FC | First team to defend Shield |
| 2023-24 | Mumbai City FC | ATK Mohun Bagan | Also strong in the AFC |
| 2022-23 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | Bengaluru FC | Rising dominance |
| 2021-22 | Hyderabad FC | Kerala Blasters | First title for Hyderabad FC |
| 2020-21 | Mumbai City FC | ATK Mohun Bagan | Dominant season with double winners |
Mohun Bagan’s frequent triumphs underline their current hold on the league, adding weight to their historic reputation.
Before that, Mumbai City showed how corporate backing and smart foreign recruitment could deliver not just domestic titles but continental credibility.
Hyderabad’s run in 2021-22 remains the standout surprise, a squad with fewer big names carving a title through resilience. Bengaluru and Kerala, despite reaching finals, have spent these years mostly chasing rather than dictating.
The pattern shows a league where two or three powerhouses rotate dominance, but space still exists for the occasional upset.
Key Stars To Watch In ISL Season 12
In a quick shot, here is a small list of players you should keep an eye out for:
- Indian stars: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC, very likely to have his farewell season), Sandesh Jhingan, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Sahal Abdul Samad
- Foreign stars: Dimitri Petratos, Roy Krishna, Greg Stewart
- Rising youngsters: Gurkirat Singh, Parthib Gogoi, Ricky Shabong
Starting with Sunil Chhetri, at 40+ years of age is still going strong and has broken ISL goal-scoring records. He became the first person to score 10+ goals in two different seasons, including the last one. He is also the oldest hat-trick scorer.
Vishal Kaith of Mohun Bagan is another who grabbed headlines: Golden Glove winner, clean sheets, and his contract has been extended until 2029.
Alaaeddine Ajaraie, playing for NorthEast United FC, will be hard to ignore. He bagged both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball in 2024-25, with 23 goals and seven assists.
As for youngsters, Gurkirat Singh, Parthib Gogoi, and Ricky Shabong are expected to push for more minutes; many fans believe they could break into the national team setup if they make the most of ISL exposure.
The ISL continues to be India’s main springboard to the national squad. Strong domestic performances, especially from players like Chhetri, Kaith, Ajaraie, and the young crop, consistently contribute to India’s AFC Asian Cup qualifying and international fixtures.
Who Owns & Funds The Indian Super League?
The Indian Super League began as a Reliance-backed venture under Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), which held the league’s commercial rights for nearly a decade.
In a major shift, FSDL has now waived those rights, handing control back to the All India Football Federation. The AIFF will oversee operations and is already tendering for a new commercial partner to take the league into its next phase.
Club ownership reflects both modern corporate muscle and old footballing tradition. Bengaluru FC is operated by JSW Group, Jamshedpur FC comes under the Tata umbrella, and Mumbai City FC is part of the Reliance fold.
On the other end, Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal bring with them legacies of the oldest football club in India, which predate independence and remain central to the sport’s culture.
The financial lifeline of the ISL runs through television contracts, sponsorship tie-ups, and the steady draw of fans at stadiums.
What Is The Pipeline For the Indian Super League?
The future of the ISL is tied to how seamlessly it can connect with Indian football’s existing ladder.
By the late 2020s, promotion and relegation between the ISL and the I-League is expected to be in place, bringing India closer to the structures followed across Asia.
Clubs have also been pressed to show greater investment in grassroots programmes and Indian Sports Universities, a step seen as essential if the league is to stop relying on imports for quality.
With FSDL exiting, the search for a new commercial partner after 2025 will dictate the shape of financial reforms. The stated ambition is not just to run a popular domestic competition but to field clubs capable of standing their ground in Asia.
ISL Clubs In Asian Competitions (AFC)
The ISL’s participation in the continental calendar has given Indian clubs a clear route into the AFC Champions League Elite and the second-tier AFC League Two.
Mumbai City and Mohun Bagan Super Giant have already carried the flag in these competitions, facing opposition of a level rarely seen at home.
The importance of these slots gives prestige to be sure, but they also expose players to higher tactical and physical demands.
More than that, they boost India’s club coefficient, and this type of recognition gives a boost to India’s sports infrastructure and investment.
That ranking, calculated from results on the Asian stage, directly influences how many berths Indian football secures in future tournaments.
The coming months add an extra layer of anticipation. FC Goa’s draw against Al Nassr in ACL2 means Fatorda could host global icons, with Cristiano Ronaldo included in the Saudi club’s squad for the competition.
His actual appearance will depend on selection and fitness, yet the possibility alone has stirred supporters and ticket sales.
For Indian football, the spectacle of a local side welcoming one of the game’s biggest names underlines how far the ISL’s continental presence has come.
ISL Season 12 Predictions
We expect the Top Four in ISL Season 12 to be
- Mohun Bagan Super Giant,
- Mumbai City FC,
- NorthEast United FC,
- FC Goa.
Mohun Bagan comes in as defending champions with squad depth and a balanced foreign–Indian mix.
Mumbai City’s strong attacking core and recent continental participation give them an edge. NorthEast United, with Alaaeddine Ajaraie’s riding form, could surprise, while Goa’s consistency under experienced coaching makes them dark horses.
The Surprise Package could be Punjab FC. They’ve been quietly building via their youth system, and their emerging players like Singamayum Shami show promise. If they have a few injuries and keep morale high, they could crack into the top six.
My pick for Player of the Season (Golden Ball) is Ajaraie. Last season’s Golden Boot winner, he has scoring instinct, sharp movement, and the resilience to carry big moments. If he stays fit, he could dominate.
As for the first manager to be sacked?, I’m putting money on the coach at Chennaiyin FC. The pressure is high given their recent struggles, expectations from fans remain strong, and early losses often lead to quick changes in ISL.
How to Watch and Follow ISL Season 12
ISL Season 12 matches will be broadcast on Star Sports channels on TV across India. Streaming will be available on JioHotstar, which has been the digital partner for all ISL matches.
The league is co-promoted by AIFF, Reliance Industries, and Star, with the Premier League still serving as a strategic partner in governance and development.
For social media, follow #ISL, #LetsFootball, and use club tags like #MohunBagan, #MumbaiCityFC, #KeralaBlasters to stay updated on squads, matchdays, and behind the scenes.
Conclusion: Indian Super League Season 12 Kicks Off In December 2025
After months of uncertainty, the Indian Super League 2025–26 is firmly back on track. The Supreme Court’s intervention and the move toward a new commercial model have given clubs and players the stability they needed.
With a December kick-off, fans can finally look forward to the return of India’s biggest football stage.
The season promises not just intense rivalries and fresh stars, but also a fierce fight for AFC spots that carry continental pride. ISL Season 12 is set to deliver drama, passion, and high-quality football once again.
Keep a lookout for the country’s favourite football league this winter!
FAQs
Mohun Bagan Super Giant clinched the 2024–25 title, edging Bengaluru FC in a close final, securing their second ISL crown.
A total of 13 clubs will feature in Season 12, including defending champions Mohun Bagan and ambitious newcomers Mohammedan SC and Punjab FC.
Mumbai City FC and ATK Mohun Bagan lead with two ISL championships each, reflecting consistent dominance over recent seasons.
Keep an eye on Sunil Chhetri, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Sandesh Jhingan, and Sahal Abdul Samad, all pivotal for club and country.
The 2025–26 season officially kicks off in December, delayed to align with AFC’s calendar and continental competition schedules.
