ISL 2026-27: Bengaluru FC to host Sporting Club Delhi in season opener

Bengaluru FC will kick off their 2026-27 Indian Super League campaign against Sporting Club Delhi at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on October 10, 2026, with the match serving as the league’s opening fixture. Kick-off is scheduled for 5:00 PM IST.

Pep Munoz remains Bengaluru’s head coach after taking charge midway through the 2025-26 campaign and will enter the new season with the benefit of a full pre-season with the squad. The club finished fourth in 2025-26, three points behind league winners East Bengal FC, and undertook a summer overhaul that included adding a new foreign contingent while keeping Indian core players Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Ryan Williams.

The ISL will feature 13 teams this season and reverts to a traditional home-and-away format after last campaign. Phase 1 has 78 matches scheduled and runs until January 17, 2027, under the framework released by the league.

There will be a pause in fixtures for the FIFA international window from November 7 to November 20. Before that break Bengaluru’s opening four fixtures include Sporting Club Delhi, Chennaiyin FC, NorthEast United FC and FC Goa, and Coach Munoz will be aiming for at least 9 points out of a possible 12 in that early stretch; the report adds that home supporters will play a major role and would be demanding a win on Saturday.

The return to home-and-away competition increases the importance of each result and the article states that Sree Kanteerava will have to be a fortress for Bengaluru to collect points. The league’s official announcement accompanied the fixtures release: "The #ISL13 fixtures are officially here! 🥁 🥳#ISLFam, it’s time to pick your dates, clear your calendars, and lock in. 🗓️🔒 pic.twitter.com/Uwgg15yIwE"

Bengaluru FC’s calendar also includes a home meeting with East Bengal FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on December 17, 2026, a fixture confirmed in the Phase 1 release.