In Focus by The Hindu ISL 2025-26 season: A rescue mission or a reckoning for Indian football?
10 snips
Feb 13, 2026 Pradhyum Reddy, coach, technical director and commentator now leading the Philippines U-17 women, previews a crisis-hit ISL season. He breaks down the condensed Feb–May format, logistical chaos and pay cuts. He weighs fewer foreigners, the collapse of the commercial model and which Indian players might seize unexpected chances.
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A Truncated, One-Table Season
- The 2026 ISL season is condensed: every team plays each other once and the league winner is crowned without playoffs.
- This truncated format limits home fixtures, reduces fan connect, and creates major planning uncertainty for clubs.
Venue Chaos Signals Structural Weakness
- Venue and scheduling chaos reflects deeper failings: clubs lack control of home grounds after years of relying on shared facilities.
- Poor ground readiness and no prior coordination forced postponements and travel-heavy fixtures.
Marketing Muscle Has Disappeared
- Promotion and broadcast support have dwindled because the former broadcaster and commercial partner exited.
- Reduced advertising and limited club social media mean stadium attendances may rely only on loyal local fanbases.