BENGALURU, INDIA: The 2026-27 Indian Super League (ISL) season began on Saturday, October 10, when Bengaluru FC hosted Sporting Club Delhi at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in the city. The match ended 3-2 in favour of the home team, with defender Menno Koch scoring the winning goal in the 89th minute.
Later in the day, FC Goa welcomed Chennaiyin FC at the iconic Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Margao. Irfan Yadwad gave the Marina Machans the lead in the 64th minute, but his stunning strike from the right flank was nullified by Christian Borrego for the home team eleven minutes later. The game ended 1-1.
ISL’s partnership with YouTube has been a gamechanger
The most exciting response to the new ISL season is from the people who tuned in to watch these two games. As has been well advertised, the league will be broadcast for free on YouTube across the world this season. Sony Sports will broadcast it on television, while spectators can also watch the games live on Sony LIV.
It was ISL’s partnership with YouTube, however, that grabbed all eyeballs. The live and free broadcast of the matches on this Google-led platform led to a tremendous response from Indian football fans. While Bengaluru FC-SC Delhi saw 7.5 million views, FC Goa- Chennaiyin FC drew 6.3 million views, totalling 13.8 million views on YouTube alone. This translates to 138 lakh views.
Clubs own the commercial rights of ISL 2026-27
This is a massive number for the opening day of the new ISL season, and one expects the viewership to only grow as the season progresses. This broadcast partnership with YouTube will help the league reach the nooks and crannies of the country, and popularise the sport outside major footballing centres.
The 2026-27 season, title-sponsored by MG, is the first in which clubs hold all commercial rights. Operating on a club-owned and club-led model, the league has entered a new era in which the All India Football Federation only holds regulatory rights. On Sunday, October 11, Inter Kashi play Kerala Blasters in Pune at 5 PM while Mumbai City travel to Margao to take on Churchill Brothers at 7:30 PM.
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Cover image courtesy: X/BengaluruFC
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