New Delhi: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Monday appointed FanCode as the official media partner for the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025–26 season, bringing long-awaited clarity to a campaign that has been delayed and clouded by uncertainty for more than four months. Kaleidoscope Production and Services (KPS) Studios has been awarded the production rights for the season.
FanCode, owned by Dream Sports, secured the global broadcast and streaming rights after edging out stiff competition. The company had submitted two separate bids—one combining broadcast and production, and another limited to broadcast and streaming—both exceeding ₹8.5 crore. Following a quality-and-cost-based evaluation by the Bid Evaluation Committee, AIFF selected FanCode’s broadcast-only proposal, which stood at ₹8.62 crore.
“We are pleased to have concluded the ISL media rights process and to partner with FanCode, one of India’s leading sports platforms,” AIFF Deputy Secretary General M. Satyanarayan said after the bidding process.
“FanCode’s focus on accessibility and fan experience aligns with our objective of expanding the league’s footprint and engaging more football fans across the country.”
Production responsibilities for the delayed season will be handled by KPS Studios, which quoted a bid of over ₹5 crore. KPS brings prior experience, having produced several domestic competitions including the I-League, Durand Cup and the Bengal Super League.
Notably, JioStar—the ISL’s broadcast partner for the previous two seasons and part of the ownership group that earlier ran the league—missed out after submitting a significantly lower bid of around ₹5 crore. Sony Sports and Zee Sports, despite showing early interest, did not submit final bids.
While the confirmation of a new broadcast partner offers relief after months of uncertainty, the financial figures underline a sharp decline in the league’s commercial value. Last season, the ISL’s 2024–25 broadcast deal was valued at ₹275 crore for 163 matches, translating to approximately ₹1.68 crore per match.
In contrast, FanCode’s winning bid for the 2025–26 season values the league at roughly ₹9.5 lakh per match across a shortened 91-match schedule—a steep drop that reflects how prolonged delays, disruptions and a four-month pause have dented confidence in the product.
ISL Set to Resume on February 14
On the brighter side, the resolution of broadcast rights clears the way for the league’s return. The ISL 2025–26 season is set to restart on February 14, with clubs gearing up for a condensed, high-intensity campaign.
The reduced-format season will feature 91 matches, with each team playing 13 games on a home-and-away basis as the league races toward a conclusion after weeks of limbo. AIFF’s next task is finalising the fixture list, with reports suggesting that a draft schedule is already in place and an official announcement expected soon.
Source: India Today, AIFF
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