HYDERABAD, INDIA: The 2026-27 Indian Super League (ISL) season is upon us. This will be the 13th edition of the competition, considered to be the first tier of the Indian football structure. The new season will begin on Saturday, October 10, when Bengaluru FC host Sporting Club Delhi in a 5 PM kickoff. Later in the day, FC Goa welcome Chennaiyin FC in Mārgao for a 7:30 PM kickoff.
East Bengal are the defending champions of the ISL, having won the competition by edging historic rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant by goal difference in the 2025-26 season. That was the Torchbearers‘ first ISL title. Mumbai City FC, Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, Kerala Blasters, NorthEast United FC and the two Kolkata giants will contend for the title this time around.
What is new this year?
The most interesting aspect of the new season is that the league will be run by a joint club-owned governance model. The All India Football Federation (AIFF), which organised the tournament last season after the master rights agreement with Football Sports Development Ltd (FSDL) came to an end, holds only regulatory rights this season. All commercial rights of the league are held jointly by the clubs.
No club has been promoted into the league this season, with Diamond Harbour FC, who had the right to do so after winning the 2025-26 Indian Football League, failing to clear compliance. Mohammedan SC, however, have been relegated to the IFL after finishing at the bottom in last season’s ISL.
Fans will be excited to know that historic Goan club, Churchill Brothers, will play in the premier competition this season after replacing Jamshedpur FC, who wound up operations earlier this year. No promotions, but Mohammedan’s relegation means that 13 clubs will participate, one less than in the last campaign.
When are the major fixtures this year?
This season of the tournament, whose title has been sponsored by MG, will also see the return of the ISL Cup, the knockout phase that takes place after the completion of the league fixtures. The winner of the league season will be crowned the ISL Shield winner, and the playoff winner will be called the ISL Cup winner.
Unlike 2025-26, which saw a shortened single home-and-away format with each side getting to play 13 matches, this season, fans will get to see a full-fledged campaign with a double round-robin format. Clubs will play each other twice – home and away – with the total number of fixtures amounting to 24.
The first major dates in the calendar are the Kolkata derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan at the Salt Lake Stadium in the City of Joy on November 29. This will be followed by the first-ever Goa derby in this competition, between Churchill Brothers and FC Goa at the Fatorda Stadium in Mārgao on December 13. Only the first phase of the fixtures have been announced by the league.
Which clubs will participate this season?
These clubs will participate in the league this season:
- East Bengal
- Mohun Bagan Super Giant
- Bengaluru FC
- Mumbai City FC
- Punjab FC
- Kerala Blasters
- FC Goa
- Inter Kashi
- NorthEast United FC
- Odisha FC
- Chennaiyin FC
- Sporting Club Delhi
- Churchill Brothers
Where can I watch the 2026-27 ISL?
All matches of the 2026-27 ISL season will be broadcast live and for free on YouTube across the world. Indian viewers can also choose to watch these matches live on television, where they will be broadcast by Sony Sports. On OTT, Indian fans can subscribe to Sony LIV and enjoy the coverage.
- YOU MAY ALSO LIKE – INDIA vs URUGUAY: Did a tactical shift help Uruguay dismantle India?
Cover image courtesy: X/IndSuperLeague
If you liked this article, consider subscribing to our website to stay in touch with the latest updates in sports. You can also follow the India Sports Tribune on X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook. We would love to talk to you!
Leave a Reply