The Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 season will start on October 10 and Indian football is inching towards a new chapter of its own within a club-led model. The campaign will last eight months and end in May 2027 and return to the home-and-away format in the competition as it aims to create a more comprehensive football calendar.
The new season will comprise 163 games with 13 teams. Each team will compete in a round-robin league format, giving clubs the opportunity to have a long season and compete at the highest level of Indian football. The revamped structure will give fans a more traditional league experience and a clear path to the playoffs.
One of the biggest changes will be the difference between the league champion and the playoff champion. The team that gets to the top of the league table will be crowned the Shield Winner and will be considered the official ISL champion. The league winner will also be placed in Asian competition, so every league match will have a lot to do with that.
The playoff system is back as well. The top six teams at the end of the league phase will qualify for the playoffs and compete for the ISL Cup Champions title. The format should add to the excitement at the end of the season, as not only are the top six teams competing for the Cup, but also the top team in the league.
Last-gasp winners. Table tilts. Drama delivered. 🤯
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) September 5, 2026
Five teams went to battle for one coveted trophy in an ISL finale that had it all. And now, we go again. 🔥
Indian Super League 2026-27 kicks off on October 10. Are you ready? 🎬#ISL13 pic.twitter.com/J1UpDlk7Qa
New Club-led era of ISL 2026-27
The ISL will change with the next season in 2026-27. The club-led model will see more control in the direction of the league and future development for the participating teams.
According to league statement, the model is designed to help in creating a competitive calendar and encourage investment in Indian football talent. It is also intended to contribute towards building a more sustainable football ecosystem in the country.
The return to a home-and-away scenario is expected to benefit clubs and supporters alike. Teams will be able to play in front of their home fans during the campaign, and fans will also see their clubs compete at venues around India.
13 Teams to compete in ISL 2026-27
The teams for the upcoming season are Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Churchill Brothers FC, East Bengal FC, FC Goa, Inter Kashi FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC, Odisha FC, Punjab FC and Sporting Club Delhi.
Churchill Brothers FC's participation, however, still requires regulatory approvals. The club’s participation is therefore dependent on the completion of all the necessary documents to be in the competition before it starts.
The presence of established ISL clubs and teams with different experience will make it a very competitive one. Clubs will have to keep an extended campaign going at the same time in league and playoffs.
Diamond Harbour FC to Miss ISL 2026-27
Diamond Harbour FC, who won the 2025-26 Indian Football League title, will not be in the 2026-27 ISL. The club did not pay the administrative fees as per its promoted status, the report says.
Diamond Harbour will not be eligible to earn points in the 2026-27 season and will be placed at the bottom of the table by default. The club will also not retain ISL status for the 2027-28 season and will compete in the Indian Football League that year.
The development provides yet another dimension to the changing landscape of Indian football. Promotion and relegation are designed to create a competitive pathway between different levels of the domestic game, while administrative and regulatory requirements are still very much relevant to club membership.
What to Expect From the New ISL Season
Since the 2026-27 season will be from October to May, clubs will have a long season to develop and compete for honours. With a wide calendar, players should have more chances to compete for opportunities in the local league, and supporters will have a long period of domestic football.
The battle for the Shield is especially important as the league leaders will be regarded as the official ISL champions and will also be awarded an Asian competition berth. At the same time, the return of the playoffs will also allow those sides outside the top to still compete for the ISL Cup.
The new season will therefore mark a significant change in the ISL structure and will see the traditional home-and-away league format supplemented with a six-team playoff competition. With 13 clubs and 163 matches in eight months, the 2026-27 season will be one of the most significant in the history of the league.
As October 10 approaches, the focus will be on the teams and their preparations for the next season. The return of a traditional league format, more club involvement, and the reintegration of playoffs will bring Indian football fans a lot to look forward to when the ISL season is finally starting.
