Bollywood actor and
The optimism stems from a significant structural change within the league. Starting with the 2026-27 campaign, the ISL is transitioning to a club-led model. Under this new framework, participating clubs will assume responsibility for commercial rights and day-to-day operations, while the All India Football Federation (AIFF) will continue to oversee administrative and regulatory functions.
A New Era for Indian Football
Abraham believes this shift in governance will serve as a catalyst for growth, drawing a bold comparison to the popularity of cricket in India. He noted that the collective ambition of the club owners is a driving force behind this transition, emphasizing that the stakeholders are working cohesively to elevate the standard of the game. According to the actor, this collaborative approach is expected to trigger a substantial paradigm shift in how the league is perceived and managed.
The 2026-27 season is scheduled to commence on October 10 and will span eight months, concluding in May. The league is set to return to its traditional home-and-away format, featuring a total of 163 matches. This marks a return to a full-length schedule following a previous season that utilized a shorter, single-leg format.
Northeast United FC Ambitions
Reflecting on his journey as a club owner, Abraham spoke candidly about his emotional connection to Northeast United FC. He acknowledged the challenges the club has faced in maintaining its presence in the league, noting that the effort to remain competitive has been a significant undertaking. As the new season approaches, he expressed pride in the club's resilience and confirmed that the team is fully focused on competing for the championship title.
With the league structure now centered on club-led initiatives, stakeholders are looking toward the October kickoff as the start of a more sustainable and commercially robust chapter for Indian football. Abraham’s comments reflect a broader hope among club owners that these changes will finally allow football to capture a larger share of the national sporting consciousness.
