ISL 2026-27 Phase 1 fixtures: NorthEast United to open at IGA Stadium on October 12

NorthEast United FC will kick off their Indian Super League 2026-27 Phase 1 campaign against Mohun Bagan SG at the IGA Stadium in Guwahati on October 12, with the Phase 1 schedule running from October 10 to January 17 after fixtures were released.

The 2026-27 ISL season returns to a double round-robin format following a shortened campaign last season amid uncertainty, and the competition is starting a club-led model era with the season scheduled to begin on October 10; Phase 2 fixtures have not yet been announced. NorthEast United enter the campaign under head coach Juan Pedro Benali, having had a positive pre-season and aiming to win their first ISL title.

NorthEast United will play 12 matches in Phase 1 as they seek a strong start to the season. The Highlanders' schedule concentrates those 12 fixtures between October and mid-January, with a mix of home and away trips across the period.

October will feature four matches for NorthEast United: three home games and one away trip. They host Mohun Bagan SG on October 12 at the IGA Stadium in Guwahati, welcome Kerala Blasters FC on October 18 and Bengaluru FC on October 30, and travel to face Odisha on October 24.

November contains four fixtures for the Highlanders, including their only November away match. NorthEast United fly to Goa to play Churchill Brothers on November 5, then have home matches against FC Goa on November 21, Sporting Club Delhi on November 24 and Punjab FC on November 30; the November 24 fixture at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal will be the first Indian Super League game staged in Imphal.

December presents three matches with a single home fixture in the month. NorthEast United host Chennaiyin FC on December 6 and will travel for away games at Inter Kashi on December 12 and East Bengal on December 21.

After the December schedule and a subsequent break, NorthEast United conclude Phase 1 with an away fixture at Mumbai City FC on January 17; Phase 2 dates and opponents remain to be announced.