ISL Returns in Traditional Home-And-Away Format: 2026–27 Season Kicks Off on October 10 With 13 Teams and 163 Thrilling Matches

• by Akanksha Mishra
• 2026-09-06 12:35:00

Football fans across India have reason to celebrate as the Indian Super League (ISL) prepares to revert to its classic, high-octane excitement. The 2026–27 ISL season is officially scheduled to kick off on October 10, 2026, and will run through May 2027. Spanning eight months of intense sporting action, the upcoming campaign marks a major administrative shift back to the traditional home-and-away format and playoff structure, moving away from the limited single-leg fixtures that defined the previous season due to past administrative and commercial delays.

A New Club-Led Format Featuring 163 Matches Across Eight Months

Operating under an innovative club-led framework, the 2026–27 season will feature a total of 13 competitive teams squaring off across 163 action-packed matches. The return to the traditional double round-robin league stage means clubs will travel across home grounds nationwide, bringing live football back to passionate fan bases. The team that finishes at the summit of the points table upon the conclusion of the league stage will be crowned the prestigious Shield winner, earning official ISL championship status alongside a coveted direct qualification slot for Asian club competitions.

Playoff Drama and Inclusion of Churchill Brothers

Alongside the League Shield race, the much-loved playoff format is officially back. The top six teams from the regular season standings will advance to the knockout playoffs, battling fiercely for the coveted ISL Cup. Meanwhile, the tournament lineup welcomes historic changes, with Churchill Brothers slated to replace Jamshedpur FC, subject to fulfilling all necessary regulatory compliance and licensing approvals. With a packed calendar running deep into May 2027, the new ISL season promises a thrilling revival of old-school football fandom and competitive intensity.

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