Commercial bids for IWL and IWL‑2 attract major companies, including JSW Group, signaling growing investment in women’s football in India.
Top Firms Eye IWL Rights
- Four private companies have expressed interest in acquiring the commercial rights for the Indian Women’s League (IWL) and IWL‑2 for the next five years.
- Interested firms include:
- JSW Group (owners of Bengaluru FC)
- Capri Sports (owners of Pro Kabaddi League’s Bengal Warriorz)
- Leisure Sports
- Shrachi Sports (handled IWL and I‑League broadcasting last season)
- The All India Football Federation (AIFF) floated the tender on November 14, 2025, with a submission deadline of November 29, 2025.
What the Rights Include
- The winner will hold broadcast, advertising, sponsorship, production, merchandising, and match feed rights for both IWL and IWL‑2.
- AIFF retains data rights while the rights holder will follow a revenue-sharing model:
- 40% of net revenue goes to the rights holder
- 60% goes to AIFF
- Of AIFF’s share, 70% is distributed to IWL clubs, 20% to IWL‑2 clubs, and 10% retained by AIFF.
- Minimum requirements: Bidders must have a net worth of ₹30 crore individually or ₹100 crore as a consortium.
Growing Interest in Women’s Football
- Commercial interest in the IWL signals a new phase of investment in Indian women’s football.
- Women’s football is gaining popularity: registrations of female players jumped 138% last year, highlighting strong grassroots growth.
- A strong commercial partner could provide better media exposure, infrastructure, and sustainability for clubs and players.
Next Steps
- Bidders must submit proposals by November 29, 2025.
- AIFF will evaluate technical bids first (minimum 50% score required), followed by commercial bid assessment.
- The selected rights holder must be capable of producing and broadcasting matches, both on linear TV and digital platforms.
