NorthEast United to host Mohun Bagan in ISL 2026-27 opener at Sarusajai Stadium

NorthEast United will host Mohun Bagan at the Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati on Monday, 12 October 2026 in the opening match of the Indian Super League 2026-27 season.

Both clubs recently featured in the IFA Shield: NorthEast United reached the semi-finals on their debut in the competition, while Mohun Bagan defeated their rivals 1-0 in the final to clinch their 24th IFA Shield. The teams last met in the IFA Shield group stage, a 1-1 draw in which Ethyan Gonzalez scored for NorthEast and Lee Erwin netted his second goal of the tournament.

NorthEast United finished the 2025-26 ISL campaign in 9th place, winning four of their 13 matches, and enter the new season with a bolstered squad under coach Juan Pedro Benali. Despite suffering a heavy defeat to East Bengal in the IFA Shield semi-final, the Highlanders retain attacking potential and Benali is likely to demand an energetic, fast approach and better chance conversion. The coach will also be seeking defensive improvement after recent setbacks to give his side a stronger platform at home.

Mohun Bagan begin the ISL under Panagiotis Dilmperis and arrive buoyed by the IFA Shield title and summer additions described as high-quality signings. Dilmperis has urged his players to respect NorthEast’s attacking threat while maintaining a compact defensive shape and improving incisiveness in their build-up play. The Mariners will view a commanding opening victory as evidence of title credentials, while failing to win would be a disappointing start to the campaign.

Squad availability differs between the clubs: Juan Pedro Benali should have a fully fit team to select from for the opener. For Mohun Bagan, Jamie Maclaren remains a doubt after sustaining a hamstring injury during the IFA Shield and Lalengmawia Ralte recently sustained an injury in training and will take a fitness test. According to RaySportz, Mohun Bagan SG midfielder Deepak Tangri has been suspended over the Durand Cup final controversy and will miss the Mariners’ first two ISL 2026-27 matches.

Kick-off for NorthEast United v Mohun Bagan is scheduled for 7:30 PM IST, and the match will be shown live on Sony LIV and streamed digitally for free on YouTube.

The fixture represents each side’s first opportunity to claim points in the ISL 2026-27 season and a chance to stake an early claim as title contenders in the opening game week on Monday, 12 October 2026 at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati.