The Indian Super League 2026-27 season begins today, October 10, and will run until next May, with the competition returning to a traditional home-and-away format under a new club-led structure.
The campaign will feature 163 matches over eight months, with 13 teams listed to take part. The 2026-27 season is the first under a new model in which the participating clubs will play a greater role in shaping the league's direction and key decisions. During the league stage, clubs will play each other twice — once at home and once away. The team finishing top of the standings will be declared the Shield Winners and recognised as the official ISL champions, also securing a place in Asian club competition. The playoff system returns as well, with the top six teams advancing to the knockout stage, whose winner will be crowned the ISL Cup Champion.
Delhi begins in Bengaluru
Sporting Club Delhi will open its campaign against Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium today. Ahead of the season opener, the Delhi club outlined its ambitions at a pre-match press conference attended by CEO Dhruv Sood, head coach Tomasz Tchórz and midfielder Lalrinliana Hnamte.
Sood said the first game of a new season is always an important moment and that the club's ambition is to build something the capital can connect with and be proud of. Tchórz described Bengaluru as a well-organised benchmark but added that nobody is unbeatable in the league, promising an approach built on competing, attacking and fighting for the result. Hnamte said the young side is hungry for the trophy.
The 13-team field includes Inter Kashi and Churchill Brothers alongside established clubs such as Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Kerala Blasters and Mumbai City FC. Diamond Harbour FC, which won the 2025-26 Indian Football League, will not participate this season after failing to meet the administrative fee requirement.
Sources: The Tribune / ANI | Zee News
The campaign will feature 163 matches over eight months, with 13 teams listed to take part. The 2026-27 season is the first under a new model in which the participating clubs will play a greater role in shaping the league's direction and key decisions. During the league stage, clubs will play each other twice — once at home and once away. The team finishing top of the standings will be declared the Shield Winners and recognised as the official ISL champions, also securing a place in Asian club competition. The playoff system returns as well, with the top six teams advancing to the knockout stage, whose winner will be crowned the ISL Cup Champion.
Delhi begins in Bengaluru
Sporting Club Delhi will open its campaign against Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium today. Ahead of the season opener, the Delhi club outlined its ambitions at a pre-match press conference attended by CEO Dhruv Sood, head coach Tomasz Tchórz and midfielder Lalrinliana Hnamte.
Sood said the first game of a new season is always an important moment and that the club's ambition is to build something the capital can connect with and be proud of. Tchórz described Bengaluru as a well-organised benchmark but added that nobody is unbeatable in the league, promising an approach built on competing, attacking and fighting for the result. Hnamte said the young side is hungry for the trophy.
The 13-team field includes Inter Kashi and Churchill Brothers alongside established clubs such as Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Kerala Blasters and Mumbai City FC. Diamond Harbour FC, which won the 2025-26 Indian Football League, will not participate this season after failing to meet the administrative fee requirement.
Sources: The Tribune / ANI | Zee News
