ISL 2026-27 Kicks Off on Saturday With 13 Clubs and a Return to Home-and-Away

The Indian Super League returns on Saturday 10 October, opening with Bengaluru FC v Sporting Club Delhi at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium at 5:00 PM IST, followed by FC Goa v Chennaiyin FC at the Fatorda Stadium at 7:30 PM.

Thirteen clubs take part, with Inter Kashi joining this season, and the league goes back to a home-and-away format. Phase 1 is 78 matches and ends on 17 January 2027, with the top six going to the playoffs. More than two-thirds of Phase 1 matches (53 of 78) are on Friday to Sunday.

The first Goa derby is on 13 December at Fatorda, when Churchill Brothers face FC Goa. The league pauses from 7 to 20 November for the FIFA international window.