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The Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament has announced YouTube as its digital streaming partner for the 2026–27 season, with all matches set to be available live and free on the platform. The league has also partnered with Sony Sports Network for television coverage in India, while SonyLIV will stream all 163 matches of the season.
According to a press release yesterday, the new distribution arrangement will give football fans multiple ways to follow the ISL across television, digital platforms and connected TV, with YouTube providing free access without a subscription requirement.
Karan Yadav, CEO, Indian Super League, said the league wants to make the ISL as accessible as possible by being available on the platforms where fans choose to watch and follow football.
He said YouTube would expand the league’s digital and connected-TV reach, while Sony Sports Network would bring the scale and expertise of a leading sports broadcaster to provide fans with a premium live television experience.
Yadav also pointed to the growing connected-TV audience in India, which has reached 166 million monthly viewers, up 23 per cent year-on-year. He added that YouTube CTV device-hours in India have grown by 77 per cent over the last two years.
According to Yadav, combining digital and broadcast distribution will allow the ISL to reach a wider audience across screens.
Gunjan Soni, Managing Director-India, YouTube, said the platform is where millions of Indians discover and engage with content every day. She said YouTube was pleased to partner with the ISL and make every match of the 2026–27 season available live and free.
Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer and Business Head, Sports and International, Sony Pictures Networks India, said Indian football has passionate supporters, strong local loyalties and rivalries that deserve a national platform.
He said Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV would provide fans with access to the competition throughout the season, with all 163 matches available on SonyLIV and more than 80 matches set to be televised across Sony Sports Network channels.
The 2026–27 ISL season will feature 13 teams, with 78 Phase 1 matches scheduled between October 10 and January 17, 2027. The league will follow a weekend-centric schedule, with 53 of the 78 Phase 1 matches set to take place on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.
