The Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 season is set to bring back a longer and more traditional campaign, with the competition scheduled to run from October 10, 2026, through May 2027. The new season will feature 13 clubs and 163 matches, with teams returning to a full home-and-away league format after the truncated 2025-26 edition.

The return to the two-leg format means every team will face its opponents both at home and away, creating a significantly longer league phase and giving clubs more opportunities to build momentum across the campaign. The top six teams will then advance to the playoffs, with the ISL Cup to be decided through the knockout stage.

East Bengal FC, the defending ISL champions after winning the 2025-26 title, will begin their title defence amid a new era for the league. The 2026-27 season also follows major changes to the competition’s commercial and administrative structure, with greater involvement for the participating clubs.

The defending champions East Bengal are also not playing in the first match week, as their season will commence away at Churchill Brothers in Goa. Inter Kashi’s venue section remains empty for now, but they are likely to play their home matches in Ranchi.

With a packed calendar stretching into May, the season is expected to provide Indian football fans with a sustained run of domestic top-flight action, featuring major rivalries, high-profile fixtures, and the battle for both the league title and ISL Cup.

Indian Super League 2026-27 Schedule (First 13 Match Weeks)

Check out the fixtures list, schedule here-