The Indian Super League’s (ISL) Phase 1 fixtures were officially announced on Saturday, with Bengaluru FC hosting Sporting Club Delhi in the opening match of the season at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on 10 October. That match will be part of a double-header on the opening day, with FC Goa hosting Chennaiyin Fc at the Fatorda Stadium later on the same day.
The season will feature 13 teams competing for the title. They are defending champions , Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Churchill Brothers FC (In their ISL debut), Inter Kashi, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC, Odisha FC, Punjab FC, FC Goa and Sporting Club Delhi.
Phase 1 will comprise 78 matches and will run until 17 January, 2027. The top six teams at the end of this phase will qualify for the playoffs, while the fixtures for Phase 2 and the playoff stage will be announced at a later date.
The new season will also include several first-time fixtures and venues.will face FC Goa on 13 December at the Fatorda Stadium in the first ISL meeting between the two Goa-based clubs.
NorthEast United FC will host Sporting Club Delhi at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal on 24 November. The fixture will mark the first time Manipur hosts an ISL match.
East Bengal FC will begin their title defence on October 18 against Churchill Brothers in Goa. The Kolkata-based side will not play during the opening gameweek because of their AFC commitments.
The first of the season is scheduled for 29 November. East Bengal FC will host Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
The schedule also includes a break for the November FIFA international window. No ISL matches are scheduled from 7 to 20 November.
Inter Kashi’s home venue remains to be confirmed. Its fixtures in the announced schedule are therefore listed with the venue as TBC.
The Phase 1 campaign will conclude on 17 January, when Sporting Club Delhi face Chennaiyin FC and Mumbai City FC take on NorthEast United FC.
