The Indian Super League (ISL) will commence its 2026-27 season on Saturday with a double-header featuring established teams and new entrants. The season opener will have Bengaluru FC face Sporting Club Delhi at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium at 5:00 PM IST, followed by FC Goa against Chennaiyin FC at the Fatorda Stadium at 7:30 PM IST.
Based on fan feedback, the 2026-27 season will emphasise weekend football, scheduling 53 of the initial 78 matches (68%) on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays. Matches will mainly take place at 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM IST to provide fans increased opportunities to follow the league over weekends.
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The 13 participating clubs for the season are Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Churchill Brothers, East Bengal FC, FC Goa, Inter Kashi, Kerala Blasters FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC, Odisha FC, Punjab FC and Sporting Club Delhi.
Several new fixtures and venues feature
Several new fixtures and venues feature in the 2026-27 ISL calendar. The meeting between Churchill Brothers and FC Goa on Sunday, December 13, at the Fatorda Stadium at 7:30 PM IST will be the first-ever ISL Goa Derby, introducing a new local rivalry. The league will also expand to Manipur for the first time, with NorthEast United FC playing Sporting Club Delhi at Khuman Lampak Stadium, Imphal, on November 24, 2026.
Defending champions East Bengal FC will start their title defence on Sunday, October 18, against Churchill Brothers at the Fatorda Stadium at 5:00 PM IST. East Bengal FC will not participate in Game Week 1 due to their AFC commitments.
The notable Kolkata Derby will take place on Sunday, November 29, 2026, when East Bengal FC host Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan at 7:30 PM IST.
The ISL will observe a pause
The ISL will observe a pause for the FIFA international window from Saturday, November 7 to Friday, November 20, 2026, with no matches scheduled during this period. This break allows players to join their national teams for international duty.
Phase 1 of the season will comprise 78 matches from October 10, 2026, to January 17, 2027, with the top six teams progressing to the playoffs. Details of Phase 2 and playoff fixtures will be announced later. The venue for Inter Kashi’s home games will be confirmed once the club finalises its home ground.
Source: thenewsmill.com
