ISL 2026-27 fixture list released, season starts October 10

The 2026-27 Indian Super League season will begin on October 10. Bengaluru FC hosts Sporting Club Delhi at 5:00 PM IST in the opening match at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, confirming the ISL 2026-27 fixture list.

This 13th edition sees the league revert to a traditional home-and-away format. Thirteen clubs will compete, with each team playing 24 matches. The first phase runs from October 10 until January 17.

Weekend fixtures and kickoff times

Fan feedback has shaped the new schedule. A clear majority of Phase 1 fixtures are set for weekends. Of the 78 matches in this phase, 53 will be played on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays. That represents 68 percent of the total.

Kickoff times for these weekend games are mostly standardized. Matches will begin at either 5:00 PM or 7:30 PM IST.

Key opening fixtures and team movements

The opening weekend features several notable clashes. On the first day, FC Goa will host Chennaiyin FC at 7:30 PM IST at the Fatorda Stadium. Defending champions East Bengal will be absent from Game Week 1 due to prior AFC competition commitments. Their title defence begins a week later on October 18 away to Churchill Brothers.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant starts its campaign on October 12 away to NorthEast United FC at the Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati. The full list of competing teams for the 2026-27 season is as follows:

Inter Kashi’s situation and home venue uncertainty

One club faces significant disruption ahead of the new season. Inter Kashi, based in Varanasi, is under a FIFA transfer ban due to unpaid wages to players and former coaching staff. The ban prevents new signings and will only be lifted if the club resolves its issues per FIFA and AFC guidelines.

The club has seen a major exodus. Players who have left include Alfred Planas, Sergio Llamas, Nishu Kumar, Nishchal Chandan, Rohit Danu, and Sandeep Mandi. With no pre-season games played, the team is led by head coach Abhijit Mondal.

Inter Kashi’s first match is against Kerala Blasters on October 11 at 5:00 PM IST. Their home ground remains undecided, though the Birsa Munda Football Stadium in Ranchi is the most likely venue. The club played its previous home games in Lucknow and Kolkata. In Phase 1, Inter Kashi will play eight of its first twelve matches at home.

Derbies, debuts and broadcast plans

The fixture list includes several historic firsts and major derbies. The season will feature the inaugural Goa derby in the ISL, with new entrants Churchill Brothers hosting FC Goa at Fatorda Stadium on December 13.

Manipur will host an ISL fixture for the first time on November 24. On that date, NorthEast United FC will host Sporting Club Delhi at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal. The first Kolkata Derby of the season is set for November 29 at 7:30 PM IST, with East Bengal hosting Mohun Bagan at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.

Television coverage for the season is expected to be on United8 Sports channels. Live streaming is anticipated to be available on YouTube, though it is unclear whether the league's existing official channel or a new one will be used. The schedule for Phase 2 and the playoffs will be revealed at a later date.