ISL
ISL 2022-23: What is the new format?
We explain the nitty-gritty of the new format that the Indian Super League will be following from the new season.
(Source: The Sports School)
The Indian Super League 2022-23 season is set to commence from 7th October and the fans are waiting with bated breath for its start. But before it does, there has been a slight tweak in the league's format.
This change was announced by the organisers when the fixtures were released. In earlier seasons, the top four teams at the end of the league-stage would go on to play the knockouts. In this new format, those teams who finish 5th and 6th will get a shot at making the final four as well. How? Read on.
From this season, the top two teams will get direct qualification for the knockouts. For the remaining two positions, 3rd to 6th placed teams will fight it out in a one-off match to decide who will join the first and second teams. Here's how it looks like:
New ISL Playoff Format (March 2023)
Eliminator 1: 3rd placed team vs 6th placed team
Eliminator 2: 4th placed team vs 5th placed team
Semi-Final 1 1st Leg: 1st placed team vs (Winner – Eliminator 2)
Semi-Final 2 1st Leg: 2nd placed team vs (Winner – Eliminator 1)
Semi-Final 1 2nd Leg: (Winner – Eliminator 2) vs 1st placed team
Semi-Final 2 2nd Leg: (Winner – Eliminator 1) vs 2nd placed team
Final: (Winner Semi-Final 1) vs (Winner Semi-Final 2)
Eliminator 1: ATK Mohun Bagan vs Bengaluru FC
Eliminator 2: Mumbai City FC vs Kerala Blasters
Semi-Final 1 1st Leg: Jamshedpur FC vs (Winner – Eliminator 2)
Semi-Final 2 1st Leg: Hyderabad FC vs (Winner – Eliminator 1)
Semi-Final 1 2nd Leg: (Winner – Eliminator 2) vs Jamshedpur FC
Semi-Final 2 2nd Leg: (Winner – Eliminator 1) vs Hyderabad FC
Final: (Winner Semi-Final 1) vs (Winner Semi-Final 2)
There is a high probability that Kerala Blasters and ATKMB would have never reached the semi-final stages and there might have been a totally new ISL cup winner, but we will have to wait for the new season to watch the new format unfurl.
