Jamshedpur FC announces exit from ISL 2026-27 season
New Delhi, August 1
Jamshedpur FC has announced that it will withdraw from the Indian Super League from the 2026-27 season onwards. The decision was confirmed by Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited, the Tata Steel-owned entity that operates the club.
JFSPL stated that while Jamshedpur FC will no longer participate in the ISL, it remains committed to supporting the growth and development of football in India in other capacities. The club's exit marks a significant change for one of the ISL's established teams since its entry into the league in 2017.
"JFSPL remains committed, in other capacities, to the continued growth and development of football in India. We will continue in our endeavour to promote and develop the game of football, including at the grassroots level. We will continue to identify and develop young football talent across India to create a strong pathway for young players from grassroots to national and international football," JFSPL said in a statement.
"Most importantly, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Jamshedpur FC football fans who have vociferously filled the JRD Tata Sports Complex with their passionate support over the past decade and made the stadium a Furnace! We would also like to thank all the players, staff, coaches, employees and other personnel who have made this journey a resounding success since our inception in 2017! We are grateful for AIFF's support and look forward to continue receiving the same, and we sincerely wish AIFF and ISL continued success in their endeavours!" the statement further added.
Jamshedpur FC are currently participating in the Durand Cup, having begun their campaign with a dominant 5-0 victory over Defenders FC of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces in the group stage.
However, it remains uncertain whether the club will complete its remaining fixtures, with their next match scheduled against SC Delhi on August 2.
Jamshedpur concluded their ninth ISL season by finishing fifth in the previous campaign. The club joined the Indian Super League ahead of the 2017-18 season, alongside Bengaluru FC.
During their nine-year stint in the competition, Jamshedpur's biggest achievement came in the 2021-22 season, when they won the ISL League Shield under coach Owen Coyle. Apart from that historic campaign, the club reached the ISL playoffs only once more, in the 2024-25 season under Khalid Jamil.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is disappointing but not entirely surprising. The ISL has become too corporate and franchises are struggling to sustain financially without solid local backing. Jamshedpur always had genuine fan culture - not manufactured like some other clubs. Hope they continue with youth development as they promised.
As someone from Ranchi, I used to travel to Jamshedpur for matches with my friends. The 2021-22 League Shield win under Owen Coyle was magical! But honestly, the club hasn't invested much in local talent lately. Maybe focusing on grassroots is a better direction for Tata to contribute to Indian football. 🙏
I appreciate Tata Steel's honesty here. They've realized that pumping money into an ISL franchise without returns doesn't make business sense. But their commitment to grassroots and youth development is what Indian football truly needs. The ISL needs to look at sustainability models now or more clubs will follow.
First it was ATK, then Delhi Dynamos relocated, now Jamshedpur exits. The ISL is losing its identity. Teams keep changing or disappearing while fans invest their emotions. The AIFF and FSDL need to work on a better model so clubs can survive. Jamshedpur will be missed in the league - those "Furnace" nights were unmatched! 🔥
Is this really the end? The Durand Cup campaign starting with a 5-0 win gives false hope. Why announce mid-tournament that you're leaving next season? At least they should complete their commitments properly. Resignation about ISL aside, football in India needs stable franchises,
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