Indian Super League 2026-27: The league is back in full, but what's changed?

The Indian Super League (ISL) is back, and there is considerably more at stake than a football title.

The 13th edition of India's premier domestic football competition, officially the MG Indian Super League, begins on October 10, 2026, after a turbulent period that left its future uncertain, forced a truncated season, and called into question the league's commercial structure.

This time, the competition returns with a full home-and-away league phase and the reinstatement of the playoffs. There are new owners at Kerala Blasters, a historic change of club licence from Jamshedpur FC to Churchill Brothers, a defending champion that has lost its two most productive attackers, and a Mohun Bagan Super Giant side that has recruited aggressively.

There is also a new commercial arrangement under which the clubs collectively hold the league's commercial rights, while the All India Football Federation (AIFF) retains regulatory control.

In other words, the ISL is entering a new era, although not necessarily one in which all the uncertainties have disappeared.

Here is everything you need to know about the 2026-27 season, from the format and participating clubs to the biggest transfers, broadcast arrangements and dates to watch.

What happened last season, and why is this season different?

The 2025-26 season was unlike any other in the ISL's history.

The expiry of the league's Master Rights Agreement in December 2025, coupled with unsuccessful commercial bids, delayed the start of the competition. In January 2026, the sports ministry confirmed that the league would proceed in a shortened format.

The season eventually ran from February 14 to May 21, with 14 clubs playing a single round-robin. Each team played 13 matches, producing 91 games in total. There were no playoffs, and the team finishing top of the table was crowned champion.

East Bengal emerged victorious, winning their first ISL title and ending a 22-year wait for a men's top-flight league championship. It was their fourth overall Indian league title.

They finished level on 26 points with arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant, but a superior goal difference of +19, compared with Bagan's +14, settled the race.

The title was secured in dramatic fashion on the final day. East Bengal came from behind to beat Inter Kashi 2-1, with Youssef Ezzejjari equalising before captain Mohammed Rashid scored the winner. Mohun Bagan also won their final match 2-1, but it was not enough to overhaul their rivals.

East Bengal's Ezzejjari finished as the season's leading scorer with 11 goals, while Mohun Bagan's Jamie Maclaren scored 10. Miguel Figueira, who has since moved to Mohun Bagan, topped the assists chart with five.

The other major development was relegation. Mohammedan SC finished bottom with just three points from 13 matches, becoming the first club to be relegated from the ISL.

The Asian Football Confederation granted a one-season exemption from its usual 24-match minimum for continental competition entry, accommodating the shortened campaign.

For 2026-27, the league is returning to a double round-robin format, with clubs playing each other home and away, followed by the reinstated ISL Cup playoffs. The season is scheduled to run until May 2027.

The change restores a more familiar competitive structure, but it also places greater importance on squad depth, consistency and the ability to manage a longer campaign.

Which teams are playing, and what are the biggest changes?

Thirteen clubs will participate in the 2026-27 season:

• East Bengal
• Mohun Bagan Super Giant
• Bengaluru FC
• Mumbai City FC
• Punjab FC
• Kerala Blasters
• FC Goa
• Inter Kashi
• NorthEast United FC
• Odisha FC
• Chennaiyin FC
• Sporting Club Delhi
• Churchill Brothers

The line-up reflects a league undergoing considerable change.

East Bengal enter as defending champions, although their title defence will look different after the departures of Golden Boot winner Ezzejjari and Golden Ball winner Figueira. Antonio López Habas, who has won both the ISL Cup and the I-League, replaces Oscar Bruzón as head coach.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant have responded to their narrow title defeat with a major recruitment drive. The Kolkata club have signed Figueira, Lallianzuala Chhangte and Dejan Dražić, among others, after losing several members of their previous attacking group. The question is whether the new-look side can turn its considerable individual quality into another league title.

Churchill Brothers are the league's newest entrants, although their arrival comes through a change of licence rather than promotion. Tata Steel exited the ISL and transferred its entire stake in Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited to the Goa-based club for a reported token consideration of ₹100.

The transaction includes Jamshedpur's ISL sporting licence, contracts of 12 players and two coaches. Churchill Brothers, twice I-League champions, will consequently make their ISL debut, while Jamshedpur FC will not participate in 2026-27.

Churchill Brothers will be based in Goa and share the Fatorda Stadium with FC Goa, setting up the first ISL Goa Derby on December 13.

Kerala Blasters have undergone a change of ownership. Magnum Sports agreed to sell its entire stake to a UAE-based consortium led by Al Fursan, with reports valuing the deal at approximately ₹120 crore. The handover is being phased through the season, with Kerala-based Ofioh Sporty taking charge of day-to-day operations.

The new ownership has spoken of developing a dedicated stadium under its proposed Project Blasters initiative. For a club with a passionate supporter base and a history of high expectations, the challenge is to translate the change in ownership into sustained progress on the pitch.

There is another significant absence. Diamond Harbour, the 2025-26 I-League champions, failed to meet the ISL participation-fee deadline. They will not take up the promoted position, have been placed at the bottom by default and are set to be relegated to the I-League for 2027-28 without playing an ISL match.

The season also introduces a new commercial framework. The clubs hold the league's commercial rights through a special-purpose vehicle, while the AIFF retains its regulatory responsibilities. MG Motor is the title sponsor, with the deal reportedly worth more than ₹25 crore over two seasons.

Who are the players and teams to watch?

East Bengal's challenge is straightforward to identify, if not necessarily to solve. They have to defend their title without the two players who won the season's Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards.

Their new arrivals include Nsungusi Effiong and Dani Ramírez from Punjab FC, Australian Chris Ikonomidis, forwards Ake Loba, Łukasz Zwoliński, Raynier Fernandes and defenders Danish Farooq, Nacho Monsalve and Diego Živulić.

Habas brings considerable experience, but rebuilding an effective attacking unit will be essential if East Bengal are to remain in contention.

Mohun Bagan's recruitment is equally significant. Chhangte arrives from Mumbai City, Dražić from FC Goa and Figueira from East Bengal. Samir Zeljković, Rahul Bheke and Lee Erwin have also joined.

The club's summer spending reflects a clear attempt to strengthen after losing Dimitri Petratos, Jason Cummings, Tom Aldred and Robson.

Kerala Blasters' rebuild will be watched just as closely. Captain Adrian Luna has returned after a loan spell with Indonesian club Persik Kediri, where he made 15 appearances, scoring twice and providing four assists. His contract runs until May 31, 2027.

The club have also brought in Andre Green, Momo Yansane, Nebojša Kosović, James Bolton, Amrinder Singh and Mohammed Sanan, among others. Ashley Westwood remains head coach, with Hasney Aljofree joining as assistant. The foreign-player roster was still being completed close to the season's opening weekend.

Mumbai City have lost Chhangte but have rebuilt their overseas contingent with Carlos Delgado, Sergio Llamas, Leandro Otormín, Wilmar Jordán Gil and Lazar Ćirković. FC Goa, after losing Dražić, have added Jorge Ortiz, Francisco Feuillassier, Alex Vallejo and Isak Ralte, while retaining Sandesh Jhingan.

Punjab FC have lost Effiong, Ramírez and Zeljković, but have recruited Alfred Planas, Raphaël Messi Bouli, Patrick Bahanack, Diego Raposo and Mickaël Malsa. NorthEast United have brought back Alaeddine Ajaraie and added Ethyan González, Eneko Satrústegui and Nikola Ninković.

Bengaluru FC have signed Borja Martínez, Sandro Embaló, Manuel de Iriondo, Menno Koch and Mihailo Perović, while Sunil Chhetri has extended his stay. Odisha FC have added Stephen Eze, Giorgi Aburjania, Hrithik Tiwari, Mahmoud Eid, Everton Nascimento, Manu Molina and Nandhakumar Sekar.

The squads are still being finalised, and late transfer developments could yet alter the balance between contenders. 

Where can fans watch the ISL?

All 163 matches are scheduled to be available live and free on YouTube worldwide. Every match will also be streamed on SonyLIV, while more than 80 matches will be televised on the Sony Sports Network.

Sportradar is the league's data partner, and Nivia is the official ball supplier.

For fans planning their calendars, the opening fixtures offer an immediate look at several of the season's major storylines.

Opening fixtures for all clubs (Timing in IST)

October 10, 5 pm: Bengaluru FC vs Sporting Club Delhi — Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru

October 10, 7.30 pm: FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC — Fatorda Stadium, Goa

October 11, 5 pm: Inter Kashi vs Kerala Blasters — Balewadi Stadium, Pune

October 11, 7.30 pm: Churchill Brothers vs Mumbai City — Fatorda Stadium, Goa

October 12, 7.30 pm: NorthEast United vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant — Sarusajai Stadium, Guwahati

October 14, 7.30 pm: Punjab FC vs Odisha FC — Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi

October 18, 5 pm: Churchill Brothers vs East Bengal — Fatorda Stadium, Goa

The first major date on the calendar is the Kolkata Derby, with East Bengal hosting Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Salt Lake on November 29 at 7.30 pm.

The first ISL Goa Derby, between Churchill Brothers and FC Goa, follows on December 13 at Fatorda.

The Phase 1 schedule is weighted towards weekends, with approximately 68 per cent of matches scheduled from Friday to Sunday. Most kick-offs are set for 5 pm or 7.30 pm, offering a relatively predictable viewing window for supporters.

The Inter Kashi home venue will be Pune's Balewadi Stadium. NorthEast United, meanwhile, will play one match in Imphal at Khuman Lampak Stadium, marking the first time an ISL match will be held in Manipur.