‘Football Will Be The New Cricket From This Year’: John Abraham Ahead Of ISL Season

Last Updated:September 06, 2026, 7:49 PM IST

John Abraham believes ISL will be India’s “new cricket” from this year, with clubs taking over the league. He hopes for a paradigm shift in Indian football.

John Abraham (@NEUtdFC)

Bollywood actor and Northeast United owner John Abraham believes the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) will bring ‘a huge paradigm shift’ in the country’s football, going as far as becoming the ‘new cricket’ from this year.

The ISL is shifting to a club-led model starting with the 2026-27 season, where participating clubs take charge of commercial rights and operations while the All India Football Federation (AIFF) retains administrative and regulatory control.

“Football will be the new cricket (in India) from this year, because the club owners have taken over the league. You will see a huge paradigm shift in Indian football from this season, and as one of the owners, I’m hoping to see that change,” Abraham said at the unveiling event of NEUFC’s new official jersey. “All the owners in the Indian Super League want football to do better in the country. We’re all very cohesive as we want to make this work. So, we’re hoping for the best,” he said.

Cricket is by far the most popular sport in India, and football, hurt and hurt by administrative issues, has tried hard to be second, but it hasn’t worked out so far with the ISL.

The 2026-27 season, which begins on October 10 and will run through May next year, will return to its traditional home-and-away format for a marathon 163-match, eight-month league after a season of a makeshift single-leg format in a short window.

“I really got teary-eyed because I get emotional about my club and I’m in love with my club. Not because of any vanity reasons, but it’s because we worked really hard to stay afloat and to be here. We’re very proud to be the club we are. We’re looking forward to the ISL starting next month, and we are going to fight for the title,” Abraham said.

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What changes are expected in Indian football with the upcoming ISL 2026-27 season?

The ISL 2026-27 season will see a significant shift to a club-led model, where participating clubs will manage commercial rights and operations. This change is expected to bring a “huge paradigm shift” in Indian football, with the league returning to a traditional home-and-away format for a 163-match, eight-month season starting October 10.

Who believes football will become the new cricket in India from this year?

Bollywood actor and Northeast United owner John Abraham believes that football will become the new cricket in India from this year. He attributes this to the club owners taking over the league, anticipating a major transformation in Indian football.

When does the ISL 2026-27 season begin and how long will it run?

The ISL 2026-27 season is scheduled to begin on October 10 and will run through May of next year. It will feature a marathon 163-match, eight-month league.

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