Star Cement renews title sponsorship of Indian Football League for 2026-27 season

The Indian Football League (IFL) has strengthened its commercial foundation ahead of an expanded 2026-27 campaign, with Star Cement continuing as the competition’s Title Sponsor for the full season. 

The renewed agreement ensures that the league will retain the name Star Cement Indian Football League 2026-27, extending a partnership that began during its transition to a new identity earlier this year.

The announcement marks a significant show of continuity for the IFL as it looks to build on the progress made in its first season following its rebranding from the I-League. With 11 clubs, a full home-and-away format, additional venues and wider broadcast access, the competition is entering a season designed to extend its reach across more regions of the country.

Star Cement, a leading cement brand originating in Northeast India, has built its reputation around reliability, strength and resilience. The company has also maintained an association with sport, supporting athletes and sporting initiatives as part of its broader commitment to excellence, determination and community engagement.

For the league, the continuation of the partnership provides commercial stability at a time when its sporting footprint is expanding. Nildeep Mondal, Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Football League, described the renewal as a strong endorsement of the league’s direction.

“Star Cement’s decision to continue as our title sponsor is a strong vote of confidence in the Indian Football League. They backed the league in its first season under a new identity, and we are delighted to carry that partnership into a full home-and-away campaign,” Mondal said.

He highlighted the addition of new clubs and venues, alongside wider broadcast reach, as important developments for the current season. Mondal added that having a partner aligned with the league’s ambitions was valuable as it worked towards building a stronger platform for Indian football.

Pradeep Purohit, Chief Operating Officer of Star Cement, said the company’s continued association reflected its belief in the potential of Indian football and the importance of sustained support for the sport. “Our continued partnership with the Indian Football League reflects our belief in the potential of Indian football and the importance of sustained support for its growth. With our roots in the Northeast, we share a special connection with the passion the game inspires,” Purohit said.

He added that the IFL offers clubs and players from across the country an opportunity to gain recognition on a national stage and inspire younger generations. Star Cement, he said, was proud to continue as title sponsor as the competition reached more communities.

A partnership built around the league’s new identity

The relationship between the AIFF and Star Cement began on March 11, 2026, when the two parties signed an agreement for the 2025-26 season. That campaign was the first after the competition was rebranded from the I-League, with Star Cement becoming its inaugural title sponsor under the new identity.

The first season of the partnership coincided with a substantial increase in viewership. According to the league, viewership was four times higher than in the 2024-25 season. The renewed agreement will see Star Cement continue to feature across the league’s branding and promotional activities throughout the 2026-27 campaign.

The continuation is important as the IFL seeks to convert the initial attention around its rebranding into sustained interest. Commercial partnerships can play a role in supporting the competition’s visibility, while helping establish a recognisable identity for clubs, players and supporters.

Larsing Ming Sawyan, Member of the League Managing Committee and owner of Shillong Lajong FC, welcomed Star Cement’s decision to remain associated with the competition.

Sawyan said the company had supported the league when it was taking its first steps under a new identity and that the renewal demonstrated confidence in its future. He pointed to the previous season as an indication of the league’s potential, adding that the full home-and-away campaign and the arrival of new clubs and venues could help it progress further.

Eleven clubs, 20 matches and a wider footprint

The Star Cement Indian Football League 2026-27 began on October 30, with Real Kashmir FC hosting debutants Nagaland United SC at the TRC Stadium in Srinagar.

Eleven clubs are competing in a full home-and-away round-robin format, with every team scheduled to play 20 matches. The season will conclude on March 20, 2027, giving participating clubs a longer competitive programme and supporters more opportunities to follow their teams.

Two new entrants, Nagaland United SC and Samaleswari Sporting Club, have joined the competition. The addition of Nagaland and Odisha as host venues has also widened the league’s geographical presence, taking IFL football to new audiences in Northeast and eastern India.

The expansion is particularly relevant to the league’s ambition of strengthening its national identity. New clubs bring additional communities into the competition, while new host venues create opportunities to build local interest and give supporters access to live league football.

Broadcast access across television and digital platforms

The league’s broadcast arrangements are another part of its effort to increase accessibility. Every match is being telecast live on DD Sports, while selected fixtures are also available on Unite8 Sports.

All matches are being streamed live on Z5, WAVES and the official Unite8 Sports YouTube channel, providing viewers with multiple digital platforms to follow the season.

With Star Cement continuing as title sponsor, the IFL enters its expanded campaign with commercial continuity, new participants and a wider broadcast network. The key task now is to translate these developments into sustained viewership, stronger club engagement and greater visibility for Indian football.

The renewed partnership provides a stable platform for that effort as the league works towards dits place in the country’s football structure.