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ISL returns to home-and-away format, new season begins from October 10

In one lineThe Indian Super League (ISL) returns to a traditional home-and-away format starting October 10, 2026, with 13 teams competing in an eight-month season.Key points• New season formatThe ISL will revert to a traditional home-and-away round-robin format, replacing last season's truncated single-leg format due to administrative delays.• Season timelineThe 2026-27 ISL season will run from October 10, 2026, to May 2027, spanning eight months with 163 matches scheduled.• Participating teamsThirteen teams will compete, including established clubs like Mumbai City FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant, with Churchill Brothers replacing Jamshedpur FC.• Championship structureThe league stage winner will be crowned Shield Winners and qualify for Asian competition, while the top six teams will compete in play-offs for the ISL Cup.• Promotion and regulationChurchill Brothers' participation is conditional on fulfilling regulatory requirements, while Diamond Harbour FC failed to meet administrative fees for promotion.Key statistics163Number of matches scheduledEight monthsSeason durationThirteenNumber of competing teamsOctober 10, 2026Start date of the seasonProcessed with AI. Reviewed by DH Digital Team.

Last season, the ISL was played in a truncated single-leg format in a short window after being delayed by administrative and commercial uncertainty.

The 2026-27 edition will be staged in a new club-led era, with 163 matches scheduled across eight months of competition.

Churchill Brothers' participation in the upcoming season will remain subject to the club fulfilling the necessary regulatory requirements and securing the required approvals. They are set to replace Jamshedpur FC.

The ISL will return to the traditional round-robin, home-and-away format, with the team finishing on top of the table at the end of the league stage being crowned the Shield Winners, the official champions of the ISL, besides earning a slot in Asian competition.

The play-off format will also make a comeback, with the top-six teams competing for the ISL Cup.

Thirteen teams are set to compete in the league, namely 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.

Diamond Harbour FC, who earned promotion to the ISL after winning the 2025-26 Indian Football League title, failed to fulfil the administrative fee requirement for the 2026-27 season and did not take up their promoted slot.

East Bengal are the defending ISL champions, having beaten Inter Kashi 2-1 in the final in Kolkata.

The team is high on confidence after having won the season-opening Durand Cup defeating arch rivals Mohun Bagal 4-1 in the final last month.