The Indian Super League (ISL) is one of India’s biggest football leagues, featuring top domestic and international players, competitive clubs, and passionate fans. Beyond trophies and glory, teams also compete for prize money, which is distributed based on performance in both the league stage and playoffs. Here’s a comprehensive guide to ISL prize money — what winners, runners-up, and other teams can expect to earn, plus a look at how the league rewards success.
Prize Money Structure in the ISL
The prize money in the Indian Super League has evolved over the years, becoming more evenly distributed and rewarding both league performance and final results.
1. Champion (Final Winners)
● The team that wins the ISL final each season receives ₹6 crore.
This amount is for the club that lifts the championship trophy at the end of the playoffs.
2. Runner-Up
● The team that loses in the final receives ₹3 crore as prize money.
This compensation rewards clubs for reaching the final stage of the tournament.
3. League Shield Winners
● The team that finishes top of the table in the regular league stage (before playoffs) earns ₹3.5 crore.
This reward is for consistent performance throughout the season.
4. Semifinalists
● Teams that reach the semifinals but do not reach the final each receive ₹1.5 crore.
This ensures that even deep playoff runs are financially recognized.
Total Prize Money Pool
The overall prize pool in ISL seasons is structured to reward multiple achievements — not just the final winners. For example, in recent seasons (like 2024-25):
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Champions: ₹6 crore
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Shield Winners: ₹3.5 crore
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Runners-up: ₹3 crore
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Semifinalists: ₹1.5 crore each
This brings the total to around ₹15.5 crore distributed among the top teams.
History of Prize Money in ISL
When the league began in 2014, prize money was more straightforward:
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Champions got ₹8 crore
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Runners-up got ₹4 crore
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Semifinalists got ₹1.5 crore each
Over time, the structure changed, especially to promote league performance, introducing the League Shield and adjusting champion rewards.
Why ISL Prize Money Matters
Rewarding Performance Across the Season
Rewarding both league table placements and final results encourages teams to perform well throughout the season — not just in one or two matches.
Boosting Club Finances
Prize money helps clubs with operating costs, player salaries, youth development, and infrastructure.
Promoting Competitive Football
By awarding semifinalists and Shield winners, the league encourages competitive spirit and achievement beyond just the final match.
Individual Awards and Bonuses
While the primary prize money is given to clubs, there are also individual awards in the ISL (though the exact amounts vary and aren’t always publicly disclosed). These may include:
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Golden Boot (Top Scorer)
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Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper)
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Hero of the League (Best Player)
Individual rewards can serve as bonuses for players, adding recognition for individual excellence.
2025 ISL Prize Money Breakdown
In the 2025 season, prize money distribution was expected to be:
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Champion: ₹6 crore
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Shield Winner: ₹3.5 crore
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Runner-Up: ₹3 crore
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Semifinalists: ₹1.5 crore each
This keeps financial rewards structured around competitive achievement.
Comparison With Other Indian Leagues
While ISL prize money is significant within Indian football, it’s lower than top sporting leagues like the IPL in cricket, where winners earn much larger sums — such as ₹20 crore for the IPL champion.
But in football terms, ISL’s model is competitive and helps clubs plan finances around performance.
Conclusion
The Indian Super League’s prize money system is designed to reward clubs for both consistent league performance and success in the playoffs. With categories such as champions, shield winners, runners-up, and semifinalists receiving financial rewards, ISL promotes competition at every stage of the season. This system not only adds excitement for fans but also supports clubs financially as they grow in Indian football.
FAQs About ISL Prize Money
1. How much does the ISL champion get?
The winner of the ISL final receives around ₹6 crore.
2. Do semifinalists receive prize money?
Yes — each semifinalist gets ₹1.5 crore.
3. What is the League Shield prize?
The team topping the league phase gets ₹3.5 crore.
4. Has prize money always been the same?
No — early seasons offered ₹8 crore for winners and ₹4 crore for runners-up, but later seasons adjusted the amounts.
5. Is there prize money for individual awards?
Yes, individual awards like Golden Boot or Golden Glove may include smaller cash rewards.
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