The Indian Super League’s 2026-27 season will start on 10 October and run until May 2027, the league has confirmed.
Thirteen clubs will play each other home and away in a 163-match campaign across eight months. It is the first season under a new club-led model, in which the clubs control the league’s commercial and operational side while the All India Football Federation keeps charge of regulations, licensing and governance.
Shield and Cup
The club that finishes top of the table will be crowned Shield Winners, recognised as the official champions, and will earn a place in Asian competition. The playoffs also return, with the top six teams competing for the ISL Cup.
Diamond Harbour miss out
Diamond Harbour, who won promotion as Indian Football League champions, will not take part after missing the deadline to pay the second instalment of their participation fee. They will be placed at the bottom of the table without points and return to the IFL in 2027-28.
The participating clubs are Bengaluru, Chennaiyin, Churchill Brothers, East Bengal, FC Goa, Inter Kashi, Kerala Blasters, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mumbai City, NorthEast United, Odisha, Punjab and Sporting Club Delhi. Churchill Brothers’ place, taking over from Jamshedpur, is still subject to regulatory approval.
