ISL 2026-27 Phase 1 fixtures released; Bengaluru FC v Sporting Club Delhi to open season
The Indian Super League has released the Phase 1 fixtures for the 2026-27 campaign in India, with the season scheduled to start on October 10, 2026. The curtain-raiser will see Bengaluru FC face Sporting Club Delhi at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, followed by FC Goa against Chennaiyin FC at the Fatorda Stadium.
The league returns to its original home-and-away format this season, with 13 clubs competing and each team set to play 24 matches in the league stage. The 13 participants listed are Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Churchill Brothers, East Bengal FC, FC Goa, Inter Kashi, Kerala Blasters FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC, Odisha FC, Punjab FC and Sporting Club Delhi. Organisers have scheduled 53 of the 78 Phase 1 fixtures—68%—on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays to prioritise weekend football. Kickoff slots will mainly be at 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM IST.
The opening day on October 10 features a doubleheader: Bengaluru FC v Sporting Club Delhi at 5:00 PM IST at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, followed by FC Goa v Chennaiyin FC at 7:30 PM IST at the Fatorda Stadium. Those matches mark the league’s first fixtures of the new campaign and set the calendar in motion.
A first-ever ISL Goa Derby has been scheduled for Sunday, December 13, when Churchill Brothers meet FC Goa at the Fatorda Stadium at 7:30 PM IST. The fixture is listed as a new local rivalry on the 2026-27 calendar.
The Phase 1 schedule also includes a game in Manipur: NorthEast United FC will visit Sporting Club Delhi at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal on November 24, 2026. That match represents one of the season’s geographic additions.
Defending champions East Bengal FC will not feature in Game Week 1 because of their AFC commitments and will begin their title defence on Sunday, October 18 against Churchill Brothers at the Fatorda Stadium at 5:00 PM IST. The Kolkata Derby between East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant is set for Sunday, November 29, 2026, with East Bengal hosting at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan at 7:30 PM IST.
The ISL 2026-27 Phase 1 schedule starts on October 10, 2026, with Bengaluru FC v Sporting Club Delhi at Sree Kanteerava Stadium; East Bengal FC’s opening match is scheduled for October 18 against Churchill Brothers at the Fatorda Stadium.