The Indian Super League’s broadcast picture is beginning to take shape ahead of the 2026-27 season, with Zee understood to be close to securing the league’s television rights and YouTube emerging as the preferred destination for digital streaming.

The developments come at a crucial point for the ISL, which is entering its first season under the new club-led commercial model. The agreements are reportedly at an advanced stage, with finalisation expected shortly.

Zee set to return to Indian football

According to reports, the clubs have zeroed in on Zee as the preferred broadcaster for the ISL’s linear television rights after negotiations with multiple parties.

A final agreement is yet to be formally announced, but the deal would give Zee another significant football property in India. The broadcaster already holds rights to a number of major international and domestic competitions, including the FIFA cycle covering the 2026 World Cup and tournaments through 2034, as well as European competitions such as Serie A and the Bundesliga.

For the ISL, securing a television partner represents an important step after a period of considerable uncertainty around the league’s commercial future.

The 2025-26 season was played in a truncated format following contractual and legal complications, with FanCode securing the media rights for a reported ₹8.62 crore. That represented a dramatic fall from previous ISL broadcast valuations.

The league’s first 10 seasons had reportedly been valued at around ₹250 crore per year under Star Sports, before Viacom18 took over in a deal reported at approximately ₹275 crore annually.

Why YouTube is being considered for digital

The clubs have reportedly prioritised YouTube for the ISL’s digital streaming rights, potentially giving the competition a significantly different distribution model from previous seasons.

The platform would stream the ISL for the first time if the agreement is completed.

The attraction for the clubs is understood to extend beyond reach. YouTube would provide access to a large digital audience while also generating detailed viewing and audience data that could help clubs understand how supporters consume the league.

That becomes particularly relevant under the new club-led structure, with the teams taking greater responsibility for the commercial direction of the competition.

The ISL’s digital strategy has also become increasingly important as clubs look to broaden their audiences beyond traditional television.

A new commercial era for the ISL

The 2026-27 season will be the first ISL campaign under the club-led model, with the AIFF retaining governance while commercial rights and operations move into a new league structure controlled by the participating clubs.

The clubs have been working towards establishing the league operating entity, including appointing key positions such as CEO, COO and league secretary.

The broadcast agreement is consequently one of the most important pieces of the new structure. A sustainable media deal is central to the clubs’ ability to generate revenue and build a more stable business model.

That need has become more pressing after Jamshedpur FC withdrew from the ISL in July, citing financial difficulties and describing the existing business model as structurally unviable. Other clubs have also faced financial pressures and ownership uncertainty.

When does the new ISL season start?

The 2026-27 ISL season is scheduled to begin on October 10 and is expected to run for around seven to eight months.

The delayed start is likely to create a congested opening phase, with clubs and league officials working on the fixture calendar before the schedule becomes less compressed later in the season.

The final fixture list is still awaiting approval over the venue situation involving one participating club.

For now, the immediate priority is completing the broadcast agreements. If Zee’s television deal and YouTube’s digital arrangement are formally confirmed, the ISL will have taken a significant step towards establishing the commercial framework for its new club-led era.