All 110 matches of IFL 2026-27 to be broadcast live on DD Sports, with Z5, WAVES and Unite8 Sports YouTube offering digital coverage of the 2026-27 season.
Kolkata, October 30: The Indian Football League (IFL) is set for wider television and digital coverage in the 2026-27 season, with Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEEL) and DD Sports joining its broadcast network in a move aimed at bringing domestic club football to a larger audience.
Under the new arrangement, all 110 matches of the season will be telecast live on DD Sports, while selected fixtures will also be available on Unite8 Sports television. On the digital front, fans can watch every match live on Z5, WAVES and the official YouTube channel of Unite8 Sports, with free streaming available on the latter.
The expanded coverage marks a significant step for the league as it looks to build on the 17.56 million television viewers recorded during the previous season. With multiple viewing options now available, supporters will have greater access to follow their respective clubs throughout the campaign.
The announcement comes on the opening day of the 2026-27 season, which began on tonight, with Real Kashmir FC hosting newcomers Nagaland United SC at the TRC Stadium in Srinagar.
Speaking about the development, IFL CEO Nildeep Mondal described the partnership as an important step in the league’s growth, highlighting the need to connect with football audiences across different regions and demographics. He also stressed that wider availability across television and digital platforms would help strengthen the league’s reach.
Zee Sports Network’s Chief Business Officer Bavesh Janavlekar also underlined the importance of making Indian football accessible to supporters wherever they watch the game, expressing the broadcaster’s commitment to building the league’s presence alongside IFL.
Shillong Lajong FC Managing Director Larsing LD Sawyan welcomed Zee’s involvement, pointing to the previous season’s reported viewership and the potential of the league’s club-led model. He believes stronger domestic competitions and a healthy league structure will be essential for the long-term development of Indian football.
The 2026-27 edition features 11 clubs, including debutants Nagaland United SC and Samaleswari Sporting Club, competing in a full home-and-away format. Each side will play 20 matches, with the campaign scheduled to conclude on March 20, 2027.
With a broader broadcast network in place, the IFL will now look to translate increased accessibility into stronger viewership and greater interest in India’s domestic club football.
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