The 2026-27 ISL season begins on October 10 and reverts to a home-and-away format

The Indian Super League is set for a major reset, with the 2026-27 season starting on October 10 and running until May 2027. The competition will return to its familiar home-and-away format and the extended schedule will last almost eight months.

The decision marks a significant departure from last season, when the ISL was forced into a shortened one-league format. The 2025-26 campaign was squeezed into a much smaller window after administrative and commercial uncertainty pushed back the start of the season.

The upcoming release will also launch a a new club-led phase of the league. A total of 163 matches are scheduled to be played during the eight-month campaign.

Churchill Brothers are expected to enter the competition in place of Jamshedpur FC, although their participation is conditional on the club completing the required regulatory processes and obtaining the necessary approvals.

The return to the home and away system will also bring back the traditional league structure. The side that finishes first at the end of the league stage will be crowned shield winners and recognized as the official ISL champions. The leaders of the league will also secure participation in the Asian competition.

The knockout race will continue separately, with the top six teams qualifying for the playoffs and competing for the ISL Cup.

A total of 13 teams are expected to feature in the 2026-27 season. The lineup includes Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Churchill Brothers FC, East Bengal FC, FC Goa, Inter Kashi FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC, Odisha FC, Punjab FC and Sporting Club Delhi.

There will also be a big change regarding Diamond Harbor FC. The club secured promotion to the ISL after winning the 2025 26 Indian Football League title, but failed to meet the administrative fee requirement required to enter the top flight.

As a result, Diamond Harbor FC will be ineligible for points in the upcoming season and will automatically be placed at the bottom of the table.

The club will also lose its ISL status for the 2027 28 campaign and return to the Indian Football League in accordance with the competition’s promotion and relegation framework.

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Published on:

05 Sep 2026 22:25 IST