ISL 2026-27: Churchill Brothers Phase 1 fixtures — debut on 11 October 2026

Churchill Brothers will make their Indian Super League (ISL) debut on 11 October 2026 against Mumbai City FC at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa, with the opening match scheduled on the second matchday of Matchweek 1.

The Goan club earned ISL entry after Jamshedpur FC withdrew from the competition and Tata Steel transferred its entire shareholding in JFSPL and the ISL Club Licensing to Churchill Brothers FC. The club, described in reports as a pioneer of the National Football League era, has returned to the top tier after a year’s absence from domestic football and has begun assembling its squad under former coach Dimitris Dimitriou from Cyprus; Dimitriou provisionally helped Churchill Brothers win the I-League in the 2024-25 season.

Churchill Brothers will play their first five matches at the Fatorda Stadium, giving them a run of home fixtures to open Phase 1 of the ISL 2026-27 season.

After opening against Mumbai City FC, the Red Machines’ early opponents include reigning champions East Bengal and then Punjab, followed by successive home games against the Highlanders and the Mariners.

The club’s first away fixture in Phase 1 is scheduled against Inter Kashi, most likely at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium in Ranchi; this will be the first meeting between the two sides since the Inter Kashi vs Churchill fiasco in the I-League 2024-25 season.

Churchill Brothers will also contest the first-ever Goan derby in ISL history on 13 December 2026 when they face FC Goa during Phase 1.

Their ISL debut remains set for 11 October 2026 against Mumbai City FC at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa, and of the 12 possible home games the club will play seven home fixtures in Phase 1 of the 2026-27 season.