13 ISL clubs submit second ₹55 lakh instalment; Churchill Brothers included
Thirteen of the 14 Indian Super League clubs lodged the second instalment of the 2026-27 participation fee, each paying ₹55 lakh, by the August 14 deadline, the payment required as part of the season's registration process. Churchill Brothers is among the 13 after Tata Steel agreed on Friday to transfer its entire stake in Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited (JFSPL) to the Goan club.
Clubs must pay a total annual participation fee of ₹1.10 crore split into two equal instalments of ₹55 lakh; the second instalment was due on August 14. Diamond Harbour are the only club reported not to have made the second payment, their first instalment having been adjusted against pending prize money.
The report noted: "🚨All ISL clubs, including Churchill Brothers, Kerala Blasters & Inter Kashi, have made their second instalment of ₹55 lakh towards the participation fee to the AIFF." As of the time of reporting, Diamond Harbour remained the sole club yet to submit the second instalment.
Jamshedpur FC announced on July 31 that it would not participate in the ISL 2026-27 season after failing to complete the first ₹55 lakh payment by an extended deadline and subsequently confirming its withdrawal. The club had been part of the league since 2017 and won the League Shield in the 2021-22 season.
On August 14 Tata Steel approved the sale of its entire 100% stake in JFSPL to Churchill Brothers Sports Club Private Limited for a nominal ₹100; the stake comprises 4.08 crore equity shares. The parties said the transaction is expected to be completed by August 31, subject to approval from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and other customary conditions.
Under the agreed transfer, Churchill Brothers will take over JFSPL and, in accordance with AIFF regulations, the existing ISL sporting licence associated with Jamshedpur FC will move to Churchill Brothers. The deal also includes the transfer of contracts for 12 players and two coaches from September 2026, and Churchill Brothers have paid the complete participation fee for the 2026-27 season.
Churchill Brothers are two-time I-League champions and had sought entry to the ISL after the end of the 2024-25 I-League season, in which they finished top of the table and were initially declared champions; Inter Kashi successfully challenged that decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, after which Inter Kashi were recognised as champions and promoted to the ISL, and Churchill Brothers did not feature in the following I-League season.
The ownership transfer remains conditional on AIFF approval and customary closing conditions, with an expected completion date of August 31; Diamond Harbour is the only club yet to complete the second instalment at the time of reporting, and Churchill Brothers are set to assume the listed player and coach contracts from September 2026 if the transaction and regulatory approvals proceed.