ISL: Which team has the most titles in ISL?

The Indian Super League (ISL), founded in 2014, has rapidly grown to become one of the most prominent football leagues in India providing a platform for domestic players to shine alongside international stars.

Over the years, it has not only transformed Indian football by attracting international stars but has also witnessed intense competition among its teams, leading to thrilling finals and memorable victories

Mumbai City FC stands as the most successful team in the Indian Super League (ISL) with a total of four major titles including two league shields.

The club has clinched the ISL Trophy twice, first in the 2020-21 season, and again in the 2023-24 season.

Additionally, Mumbai City FC has won the ISL Shield twice, securing their first Shield in the 2020-21 season by topping the league table, and their second Shield in the 2022-23 season with the highest points.

Other clubs that have enjoyed the most success include Mohun Bagan SG and Chennaiyin FC.

Let's take a look at all the past winners of the ISL Trophy and Shield:

ISL Trophy Winners

2014: Atlético de Kolkata (1-0 vs Kerala Blasters)

The inaugural ISL season in 2014 was a grand affair, attracting legendary footballers like Luis García, Alessandro Del Piero, Robert Pires, and Freddie Ljungberg.

Atlético de Kolkata, co-owned by former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, became the first-ever ISL champions, defeating Kerala Blasters 1-0 in a tense final at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai.

The match was decided by a dramatic injury-time goal from Indian midfielder Mohammed Rafique, making him an unlikely hero.

Under the tactical guidance of head coach Antonio Lopez Habas, Kolkata’s defensive strategy and timely substitutions, including Rafique’s entry, played a crucial role in their victory. This win marked the beginning of a new football craze in India.

2015: Chennaiyin FC (3-2 vs FC Goa)

The 2015 season saw Chennaiyin FC, coached by World Cup winner Marco Materazzi, claim their first ISL title.

Despite a shaky start, Chennaiyin FC's five consecutive wins in the latter half of the regular season propelled them to the playoffs.

After defeating the defending champions Atlético de Kolkata in the semi-finals, Chennaiyin FC faced FC Goa in the final.

A late goal from Steven Mendoza, the season’s Golden Boot winner, secured a thrilling 3-2 victory.

2016: Atlético de Kolkata (1-1 (4-3) penalty shootout vs Kerala Blasters)

Atlético de Kolkata reclaimed the ISL title in 2016, defeating Kerala Blasters in a nail-biting final that was decided by a penalty shootout.

The match, held in front of a record crowd of over 54,000 fans in Kochi, ended 1-1 in regular and extra time.

Kolkata triumphed 4-3 in the shootout, showcasing their composure under pressure.

This season highlighted the league’s growing popularity, with stars like Florent Malouda, Diego Forlán, and John Arne Riise bringing international flair to the ISL.

2017-18: Chennaiyin FC (3-2 vs Bengaluru FC)

The 2017-18 season marked a turning point for the ISL as it expanded from eight to ten teams and gained recognition from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Chennaiyin FC, led by head coach John Gregory, won their second ISL title by defeating Bengaluru FC 3-2 in the final.

Gregory’s tactical approach, which often involved hitting opponents on the counter, paid off as Chennaiyin FC overcame the league stage winners Bengaluru FC in a thrilling final at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

2018-19: Bengaluru FC (1-0 vs FC Goa)

After narrowly missing out on the title in the previous season, Bengaluru FC bounced back to win their first ISL trophy in 2018-19.

Led by captain Sunil Chhetri and under the guidance of head coach Carles Cuadrat, Bengaluru topped the league stage and defeated NorthEast United in the semi-finals.

In the final against FC Goa, a 117th-minute header by Rahul Bheke secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory, making Bengaluru FC the champions.

2019-20: Atlético de Kolkata (3-1 vs Chennaiyin FC)

Atlético de Kolkata continued their dominance in the ISL, winning their third title in the 2019-20 season.

Under the leadership of returning head coach Antonio Lopez Habas, ATK signed prolific strikers David Williams and Roy Krishna, who played pivotal roles throughout the season.

Despite losing the first leg of the semi-final against Bengaluru FC, ATK bounced back to reach the final, where they defeated Chennaiyin FC 3-1 to become the most successful team in ISL history.

2020-21: Mumbai City FC (2-1 vs ATK Mohun Bagan)

The 2020-21 season was historic for Mumbai City FC, who won their first ISL title under new majority owners, the City Football Group.

With former FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera at the helm and a squad filled with star players, Mumbai City FC topped the league table to win the League Winners Shield and earned a direct spot in the AFC Champions League.

In the final, Mumbai City FC faced ATK Mohun Bagan and came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory, with a late goal by Bipin Singh sealing the triumph.

2021-22: Hyderabad FC (1-1 (3-1) penalty shootout vs Kerala Blasters)

Hyderabad FC’s meteoric rise culminated in their first ISL title in 2022, just three years after their debut.

Under manager Manolo Marquez, Hyderabad FC showcased their attacking prowess, finishing second in the league stage.

Nigerian striker Bartholomew Ogbeche’s 18 goals played a crucial role in their success.

In the final, Hyderabad FC overcame Kerala Blasters in a penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani saving three penalties to secure the title.

2022-23: ATK Mohun Bagan (2-2 (4-3) penalty shootout vs Bengaluru FC)

ATK Mohun Bagan, a team formed after the merger of ATK and legacy club Mohun Bagan, won their first ISL title in the 2022-23 season.

Coached by Juan Ferrando, ATK Mohun Bagan finished third in the league stage and overcame reigning champions Hyderabad FC in the semi-finals.

In the final against Bengaluru FC, ATK Mohun Bagan won 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw, claiming their place among the ISL elite.

2023-24: Mumbai City FC (3-1 vs Mohun Bagan SG)

Mumbai City FC clinched their second ISL title in 2023-24 by defeating Mohun Bagan SG 3-1 in the final.

After losing the ISL Winners Shield to Mohun Bagan, Mumbai City FC avenged their loss in the title decider with a comeback victory.

Goals from Jorge Diaz, Bipin Singh, and Jakub Vojtus helped Mumbai City FC secure the win and reaffirm their status as one of the top teams in the league.

ISL Shield Winners

2019-20: FC Goa

FC Goa became the first team to win the ISL League Winners Shield in the 2019-20 season, finishing at the top of the league table with 39 points.

Their dominant performance included 12 wins out of 18 matches and 46 goals, the highest in the league that season.

This achievement also made them the first Indian club to qualify for the AFC Champions League group stage, marking a significant milestone in Indian football.

2020-21: Mumbai City FC

Mumbai City FC won their first ISL Shield in the 2020-21 season under coach Sergio Lobera.

The Islanders finished level on points with ATK Mohun Bagan but secured the top spot due to their superior head-to-head record.

Their Shield win also earned them a group stage berth in the AFC Champions League, further elevating the club’s stature on the Asian football stage.

2021-22: Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur FC made history in the 2021-22 season by winning their first ISL Shield with a record 43 points, the highest ever in the league’s history.

Managed by Owen Coyle, Jamshedpur FC’s disciplined approach saw them achieve seven consecutive wins, including a crucial victory over ATK Mohun Bagan in the final league match to secure the Shield.

2022-23: Mumbai City FC

Mumbai City FC continued their impressive run by winning their second Shield in the 2022-23 season.

Coached by Des Buckingham, the Islanders amassed 46 points, the highest in a single ISL season, and secured the Shield with a 5-3 victory over FC Goa.

2023-24: Mohun Bagan Super Giant

Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the rebranded ATK Mohun Bagan, clinched the ISL Shield in the 2023-24 season by defeating Mumbai City FC 2-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

This victory marked their first Shield win and highlighted the club’s resurgence under new management.