Shillong, Sep 26: The first 78 fixtures of the Indian Super League 2026-27 were released today, with the season to run from 10th October to May next year, with the competition returning to its regular home-and-away format.
The fixtures released today cover the first 78, from 10th October up to 17th January. In all, there will be 163 matches, including playoffs, in 2026-27 for the 13 participating teams in the top tier of Indian men’s football.
Each team will face the other 12 sides once during the first phase. The remaining league fixtures, along with the dates for the playoffs and the ISL final, will be announced later.
The season begins with Bengaluru FC hosting SC Delhi at the Kanteerava Stadium on 10th October. FC Goa take on Chennaiyin FC at the Fatorda Stadium later on the opening day.
East Bengal are the defending champions, while NorthEast United could only finish ninth last year.
Of the fixtures released today, eight will be home games for NEUFC – seven of these will be at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati while one, against SC Delhi on 24th November, will be held at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal for the first time.
A venue that is missing is Shillong, whose JN Stadium hosted three Highlander matches in ISL 2024-25. Last season was so hastily put together than Shillong didn’t hold any ISL matches. However, it is hoped that, with the resumption of normal service, the city would get some in 2026-27.
Under the terms of a deal signed between the Meghalaya government and NorthEast United in 2025, Shillong is supposed to host six ISL matches this year. It is possible that Shillong’s matches might take place in the second half of the season.
(File photo)
