The top six teams will compete for the ISL Cup, while the league leaders will be crowned the official ISL champions and secure an Asian competition spot.
New Delhi: The Indian Super League (ISL) will begin on October 10 and run until May 2027, returning to its traditional home-and-away format for the 2026-27 season.
The eight-month season will feature 163 matches and mark a return to the longer league format after last season was played in a truncated single-leg schedule following administrative and commercial uncertainty.
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ISL returns to traditional format
The 2026-27 season will be played under a new club-led structure, with teams returning to the traditional round-robin, home-and-away format.
The team finishing at the top of the table after the league stage will be crowned the Shield Winners, recognised as the official ISL champions, and will also earn a place in Asian competition.
The playoffs will also return, with the top six teams qualifying for the ISL Cup.
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13 teams set to compete
Thirteen teams are set to feature in the 2026-27 ISL: 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.
Churchill Brothers are set to replace Jamshedpur FC, although their participation remains subject to the club meeting the required regulatory conditions and securing the necessary approvals.
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Diamond Harbour miss out after promotion
Diamond Harbour FC, who earned promotion after winning the 2025-26 Indian Football League title, will not take up their promoted ISL slot after failing to fulfil the administrative fee requirement for the 2026-27 season.
Under the promotion-and-relegation system, Diamond Harbour will not be eligible to earn points in the upcoming season and will be placed at the bottom of the table by default.
The club will also lose its ISL status for the 2027-28 season and compete in the IFL that year.
The return to the home-and-away format is set to give the ISL a longer and more competitive season, with the league scheduled to run from October 10 through May 2027.
Published: 05 Sept 2026, 08:19 pm IST
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