ISL set for new title sponsor as MG Motor agrees Rs 25 crore deal

The Indian Super League is set for a new commercial identity, with MG Motor closing in on a two-year title sponsorship worth over Rs 25 crore. The deal would bring the league back under a title sponsor after three seasons.ISL set to have a new sponsor. (Photo: X/ISL)New Delhi,Oct 1, 2026 12:18 ISTMG Motor are set to become the title sponsor of the Indian Super League on a two-year deal worth more than Rs 25 crore. The agreement would bring a title sponsor back to the ISL after Hero MotoCorp’s long-standing association with the competition ended following the 2022-23 season.The final paperwork is reportedly in its closing stages and is expected to be completed soon. The league could subsequently be branded as the MG Indian Super League, with the MG logo also set to feature on the competition’s crest.The reported deal is also understood to include a car for the league’s best player at the end of each season. The player award is reportedly expected to carry a value of around Rs 25 lakh, adding another element to a partnership that could become one of the ISL’s biggest commercial agreements.Hero had been associated with the ISL as title sponsor from its inaugural season in 2014 until 2022-23. Its exit left the league without a title sponsor for the following three seasons, making the reported MG Motor agreement a significant commercial development ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. The new season is scheduled to begin on October 10, with Bengaluru FC hosting Sporting Club Delhi at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium before FC Goa take on Chennaiyin FC at Fatorda later that evening. The opening phase will feature 78 matches through January 17.PARTH JINDAL’S MG MOTOR CONNECTIONThe reported sponsorship comes at an interesting time for MG Motor India, with Parth Jindal recently taking over as chairman of JSW MG Motor India. Jindal had already been a board member of the joint venture between JSW Group and SAIC Motor since its formation. Jindal’s wider involvement in Indian football also makes the development noteworthy. He is the founder of JSW Sports, which owns and operates Bengaluru FC, giving him a direct connection to one of the ISL’s participating clubs.There is, however, no confirmed information establishing Jindal’s personal involvement in the reported ISL sponsorship agreement. His roles at JSW MG Motor India and JSW Sports simply place him at the intersection of two organisations with links to the league.ISL ENTERS NEW COMMERCIAL PHASEThe reported MG Motor partnership comes as the ISL moves into its first season under a more club-led structure, with participating teams taking on greater responsibility for the competition’s commercial and operational direction.Under the new structure, clubs are expected to play a more active role in shaping the league’s commercial strategy, matchday operations and long-term growth. This could give teams greater control over revenue generation while also requiring closer coordination on broadcasting, sponsorships, scheduling and competition standards.The league has also added other commercial partnerships ahead of the new campaign, including agreements involving data, technology and equipment. The 2026-27 season will further expand the ISL’s reach, with a fixture scheduled in Imphal when NorthEast United FC face Sporting Club Delhi on November 24.- Ends