The 13th season of the Indian Super League starts on Saturday, and almost everything around it looks different: who runs it, who pays for it, where you watch it, which clubs are in it and what the rules look like. After a truncated last season, many in the sport see simply getting a full campaign underway as an achievement.

When does the ISL 2026-27 start, and who plays the opener?

Bengaluru FC host SC Delhi at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, October 10. The season is expected to run seven to eight months. The end date and the playoff schedule haven’t been announced yet.

Who runs the ISL now?

The clubs do. The AIFF had taken charge last season after Reliance’s departure, but it now handles only the administrative side. Commercial rights sit with the clubs, each of which paid the federation a ₹1.1 crore participation fee. The clubs have also reportedly formed a joint vehicle to manage media rights, sponsorships and working capital.

Who is the new title sponsor?

MG Motors (Morris Garages) has signed a two-year, ₹25 crore deal. The league had no title sponsor for three seasons after Hero Motors ended the long-term deal it held since the league began. Parth Jindal is chairman of both Bengaluru FC and MG India.

Where can you watch the ISL this season?

– YouTube: digital rights, with matches free to stream
– TV: Sony Sports Network
– OTT: SonyLIV, with ads

Clubs see YouTube as the future of live sport and point to the Prime Volleyball League and the Tamil Nadu Premier League as examples. SC Delhi CEO Dhruv Sood says the deal guarantees the league certain financial benefits tied to views and engagement. Clubs will also get audience data on how far and where the league is reaching, which they have lacked until now.

What is the format this season?

Last season began four months late and had roughly half the usual games. This year the league returns to a full double round-robin plus playoffs, reported at 163 matches in total. Bengaluru’s director of football Darren Caldeira calls it “a league that is seven or eight months long”, which is the reason the clubs picked YouTube. Clubs are working on the basis that the playoffs are back.

Which clubs have come in, gone out or changed?

– Jamshedpur FC are gone. Tata sold the club, its rights and its contracts to Churchill Brothers for a token ₹100, which puts Churchill in the ISL.
– Diamond Harbour FC were promoted but won’t play. They couldn’t pay the participation fee and are relegated to the 2027-28 second division. That means no relegation battle this season.
– SC Delhi make their debut in the opening match.
– Inter Kashi play their home games at Balewadi Stadium in Pune.
– Kerala Blasters have new owners. Magnum Sports sold its stake to UAE-based Al Farsan Sports Investment.

What are the new on-field rules?

Reported changes include:

– A cap of three foreign players plus one Overseas Citizen of India player on the pitch at once
– At least one Indian striker on the pitch for all 90 minutes
– Higher fines for abusive language from team officials
– Anti-discrimination measures aligned with FIFA’s three-step process for hostile fan behaviour

Which coaches are new?

Several clubs have gone with Indian head coaches: Gouramangi Singh at FC Goa, T.G. Purushotaman at Odisha FC and Clifford Miranda at Chennaiyin FC. Manolo Marquez, who previously coached Goa, is now at Mumbai City.

Who are the favourites?

East Bengal are the defending champions, with their first ISL title and first national league trophy in 22 years. They’ve kept most of that squad, are doing well in Asia and look better prepared than anyone. Their main obstacle is Mohun Bagan, who signed Miguel Figueira from East Bengal and added Lallianzuala Chhangte (Mumbai) and Dejan Drazic (Goa).

Others to watch:

– Bengaluru FC: decent on paper, with the question of Sunil Chhetri’s appetite for another season hanging over them
– Mumbai City: lost Chhangte, gained Marquez
– FC Goa: Gouramangi Singh in charge, with Muhammed Nemil as the headline talent
– NorthEast United: Alaeddine Ajaraie again
– Kerala Blasters: signed Mohamed Sanan and Mohammad Yasir, brought back Adrián Luna and kept Ashley Westwood

Is the league cutting costs?

Caldeira says the player wage bubble has burst, and Bengaluru haven’t signed a single Indian player this season. FC Goa’s CEO has also called for wages to correct, and Goa’s summer business reflected it. Sood argues the clubs created the market themselves while chasing trophies, and says a well-run club’s wage bill shouldn’t exceed 60% of turnover. Cheaper scouting of foreign players is the other lever. The league is also discussing VAR, which would only help if referees get proper support.

What about the lower leagues?

• Indian Football League (IFL, formerly I-League): starts October 30, with only three foreigners allowed on the pitch at a time. Newcomers are Mohammedan, Bengaluru United, Samaleswari and Nagaland United.
• Indian Women’s League: starts October 16 with eight clubs, including newly promoted HOPS FC and Juba Sangha FC.
• IWL 2: league phase starts October 23, final round on November 25.

The Bottom Line

New owners, a new sponsor, a free streaming home and a full calendar make this the most significant reset in the league’s history. With a 2026-27 season that has to prove Indian football is worth investing in, the first test is simply delivering it.