Sony Sports Secures ISL Broadcast Rights, SonyLIV to Stream Every Match

Sony Pictures Networks India has signed a deal to acquire the Indian Super League’s broadcasting rights, bringing the upcoming season to Sony’s television network and streaming platform.

The agreement covers both linear television and streaming rights for the league, according to a source familiar with the development.

Sony Sports Network, which operates under Sony Pictures Network India (SPNI), will be the broadcaster for the new ISL season, sources told The New Indian Express.

SonyLIV to carry every ISL match

All Indian Super League matches will be streamed live on SonyLIV, while most games will also be broadcast on the Sony Sports Network, according to the source cited by Sportstar.

The New Indian Express also reported that every match would be available on Sony’s OTT platform, SonyLIV, with most matches shown on Sony Sports Network’s television channels.

The agreement marks a shift in the digital and television broadcast arrangement after Dream Sport’s FanCode streamed matches of the truncated 2025-26 ISL season.

Sony Sports later broadcast those matches on its linear channels, according to The New Indian Express.

Sportstar reported that FanCode had streamed the league last season after acquiring the broadcasting rights for over Rs. 8 crore.

The change gives Sony control of both major broadcast formats for the upcoming campaign: live streaming through SonyLIV and television coverage through Sony Sports Network.

A source told The New Indian Express, “The deal has been agreed and it is subject to formalities and paperwork.”

The same source said an official announcement was expected early next week.

Sportstar, however, quoted another source as saying, “The agreement is signed.”

New ISL season to begin on October 10

The 2026-27 season of the Indian Super League will begin on October 10.

Bengaluru FC will host Sporting Club Delhi in the opening match of the campaign.

The New Indian Express reported that the match would be played at Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.

The identity of the broadcaster had remained uncertain in the days leading up to the opening fixture.

The New Indian Express reported that FanCode and Zee Entertainment’s Unite8 Sports were among the frontrunners before Sony Sports Network secured the arrangement.

Sportstar said Google, YouTube, Zee and Sony Sports had initially shown interest in acquiring the rights.

According to the same report, Zee and Sony had reached the final stages of negotiations.

Zee had invested heavily in sports broadcasting in the preceding months, including the launch of its Unite8 Sports channels and the streaming of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on its ZEE5 platform.

Sony ultimately outbid Zee to acquire the deal, although the company declined to reveal the monetary details when asked for comment, Sportstar reported.

YouTube and Google will also live-stream the matches worldwide, according to Sportstar.

That arrangement leaves Sony with the principal Indian television and streaming rights while YouTube and Google are set to provide worldwide live-streaming coverage.

Sony’s wider football presence

Sony has previously been involved in broadcasting Indian football, according to a source quoted by Sportstar.

“The I-League, now called the Indian Football League, was previously shown on the platform. And now India vs Brazil will also be shown on it,” the source said.

The source described Sony as “a natural ally in the football market.”

The group is a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, according to Sportstar.

Its return as the ISL’s broadcast partner follows its coverage of the league last season through its linear channels.

East Bengal are the defending champions of the Indian Super League.

The league is India’s men’s top flight, according to Sportstar.

The upcoming season will be based on a club-run model, according to The New Indian Express.

The shift to a club-led structure is also reflected in the comments made by Karan Yadav, the CEO of ISL.

MG becomes ISL title sponsor

The Indian Super League will also have a title sponsor after a gap of three years.

Morris Garages, referred to as MG Motor in the report, was announced as the new title sponsor on Thursday.

The league will consequently be known as the MG Indian Super League.

Karan Yadav said in a statement, “The return of a title sponsor after three seasons is a significant milestone and a strong reflection of the belief and opportunity around Indian football.”

He added, “As a club-led league, we are entering a new chapter with a clear ambition to build a stronger, more commercially sustainable and fan-focused ISL.”

The sponsorship comes as the competition moves forward under its club-led model, with the league’s broadcast and commercial arrangements both taking shape before the new season begins.

MG’s India operations and manufacturing are handled by a joint venture between the JSW group and SAIC Motor, which is based in China.

MG is also associated with English club Liverpool FC as its official global car partner.

The company has a multi-year partnership with Arsenal to create fan experiences.

With Sony handling both the linear television and streaming rights in India, every ISL match will be available on SonyLIV, while most fixtures will also be carried on Sony Sports Network.

The first match of the new season will be Bengaluru FC’s meeting with Sporting Club Delhi on October 10.