IFL 2026-27 to kick off with Real Kashmir hosting Nagaland United in Srinagar on October 30
Real Kashmir will host Nagaland United SC at the TRC Stadium in Srinagar on 30th October as the Indian Football League (IFL) 2026-27 opens, with kick-off scheduled for 6:30 PM IST. The season features 11 teams competing for the Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 promotion spot.
The second tier of Indian football returns for its latest edition after the 2025-26 campaign, with Mohammedan SC joining the IFL following relegation from the 2025-26 ISL season. Nagaland United SC, FC Bengaluru United and Odisha’s Samaleswari FC will each play their first IFL season. The competition will involve a single promotion berth to the ISL 2026-27, contested across the scheduled fixtures.
The 11 clubs entered for IFL 2026-27 are Real Kashmir FC, Nagaland United SC, Mohammedan SC, Shillong Lajong FC, Gokulam Kerala FC, Samaleswari SC, Rajasthan United FC, Sreenidi Deccan FC, Dempo SC, FC Bengaluru United and Chanmari FC. The fixtures are set and Gameweek 1 is almost here, with the opening match in Srinagar marking the first fixture of the campaign.
Several clubs have undergone off-field changes to take part in the upcoming season. Aizawal FC transferred their licensing & sporting rights to Nagaland United SC, who will play at the Chümoukedima Football Stadium in Dimapur, Nagaland. Delhi FC sold their licensing & sporting rights to Odisha’s Samaleswari SC, who will base their home matches at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Rourkela.
FC Bengaluru United earned promotion to the IFL after finishing second in the 2025-26 IFL 2 season. The league has seen multiple changes on and off the field, most notably being the team changes. All teams except for Mohammedan SC, Bengaluru United, Samaleswari SC & Chanmari FC have made multiple changes during the off-season to bolster their squad, with the most notable signing being Pritam Kotal from Chennaiyin FC to Sreenidi Deccan FC.
Broadcast arrangements for the IFL 2026-27 have been confirmed: matches will be shown live on DD Sports and streamed on Waves OTT. For additional coverage and updates, Khel Now directs readers to its Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube channels, its Android and IOS apps, and community groups on Whatsapp & Telegram.
The opening fixture — Real Kashmir versus Nagaland United at the TRC Stadium in Srinagar on 30th October (6:30 PM IST) — officially starts the IFL 2026-27 season, which will see the 11 clubs contest a single promotion place to the Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27.
