The ISL is going the YouTube way to expand the football base. Matches to stream for free

The Indian Super League returns to action on October 10 with a total of 13 teams participating in the rebranded league. For the first time ever, the league has decided to stream all its matches for free on YouTube in a bid to expand its football base in the country.

The ISL announced on Wednesday 7 October that all 163 matches of the 2026-27 season will be available live and free of charge on YouTube, which has been roped in as its digital streaming partner for the new season. The move is aimed at expanding the ISL’s digital reach and making every match accessible without the barrier of subscription. Fans will be able to watch the entire season live on YouTube without having to pay for a separate streaming subscription.

YouTube is not the only platform that will stream the ISL. SonyLiv will also have digital streaming rights. YouTube’s move aims to expand its audience beyond India as it will be live-streamed across the globe.

ISL 2026/27: BIGGER AND BETTER

The decision comes as the ISL prepares for a major reset after the shortened 2025-26 season. The upcoming campaign will revert to a home-and-away format and run from October 10 to May 2027, giving the league a much longer window than previous editions.

The first phase of the 2026-27 season will include 78 matches and will run until 17 January. The schedule has been designed with a weekend-focused approach, with 53 of the 78 games in the opening phase being played on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

The league will also feature a number of firsts, including the first ever Goa Derby in the ISL. Churchill Brothers and FC Goa will meet in the first edition of the fixture, adding a new rivalry to the competition.

The ISL will also visit Imphal for the first time, with NorthEast United FC taking on Sporting Club Delhi at the Khuman Lampak Stadium on November 24.

The decision to make all matches available for free on YouTube gives the league a broader digital distribution platform as it seeks to reach viewers beyond its existing audience. The accessibility of YouTube also means that fans can watch matches without the need for a subscription, which could otherwise act as a barrier to watching live sport.

The 2026-27 season will feature 13 teams with 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 participating.

ISL RETURNS TO HOME AND AWAY FORMAT

The 2026-27 season marks a significant change from the previous edition, with the ISL returning to its traditional home-and-away format after the 2025-26 campaign was played in a shortened one-legged format.

The previous season was squeezed into a much smaller window after administrative and commercial uncertainty delayed the start of the competition. The upcoming season will instead span nearly eight months, with a total of 163 games scheduled to be played.

The team that finishes first at the end of the league phase will be crowned as the shield winners and recognized as the official ISL champions. The leaders of the league will also secure participation in the Asian competition.

The play-off race will continue separately, with the top six teams from the league stage qualifying for the knockout stage and fighting for the ISL Cup.

Churchill Brothers will enter the competition for the first time after taking over the existing Jamshedpur FC.

WHY ARE THERE 13 TEAMS PLAYING, NOT 14?

Football competitions are played with an even number of teams. But that is not the case in this season of the ISL.

There will also be a 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 administration fee requirement needed 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 season and return to the Indian Football League in accordance with the competition’s promotion and relegation framework.

With the return to a home-and-away format, the ISL will have a significantly longer season in 2026-27. The league will also now have all 163 matches available for free on YouTube, giving its clubs and players a wider digital platform as the competition looks to expand its audience.

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