AIFF invites bids for 15-year ISL, IWL commercial rights from 2026-27 season

A pre-bid conference has been organised for March 11, and the last date for bid submission is March 19. The bids will be opened on March 20.

Published on: Mar 2, 2026, 22:10:14 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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The AIFF on Monday issued an invitation to bid for the commercial rights to men's and women's club competitions, with an agreement for a minimum of 15 years, beginning with the 2026-27 season. Prospective bidders have been offered two packages for bidding on men's and women's club competitions.

AIFF has invited bids for ISL commercial rights. (HT_PRINT)

Package A is for ISL and the Federation Cup. Meanwhile, Package B is for IWL and IWL 2, and also the Women's Federation Cup has been introduced as an option. Meanwhile, the I-League, which has been renamed as the Indian Football League, was not included in the latest Request for Proposal (RFP).

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According to a PTI report, a senior AIFF official said, "We want the commercial rights for a minimum duration of 15 years. If the bidder agrees it can be done for 20 years also, it is an option."

Meanwhile, the RFP will not be made public. Interested bidders will have to purchase the document for ₹2.5 lakh.

"It is clarified that the RFP shall be shared by way of email only upon receiving the payment ... the RFP must be purchased by the entity that desires to bid. Such right to bid may not be transferred to any affiliates of the entity making payment," AIFF said.

"Further, any bid submitted in response to the RFP by an entity that has not made the payment described hereinabove shall be summarily rejected and not considered for any evaluation under the RFP."

Meanwhile, a pre-bid conference has been organised for March 11, and the last date for bid submission is March 19. The bids will be opened on March 20.

In January, the AIFF also issued the RFP document for broadcast rights related to ISL. Meanwhile, in February, the AIFF awarded exclusive global broadcast rights of ISL 2025-26 to FanCode for ₹8.62 crore.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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