2026–27 Indian Super League
Football league season in India
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The 2026–27 Indian Super League will be the 13th season of the Indian Super League (ISL) and the 31st season of top-tier Indian football. The season is set to commence on 10 October 2026.
2026-27 ISL season poster | |
| Season | 2026–27 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 10 October 2026 – May 2027[1] |
| Country | India |
| Teams | 14 |
| Relegated | Diamond Harbour[2] |
← 2025–26 2027–28 → | |
East Bengal are the defending champions, having won their maiden Super League title and their fourth overall top-tier league title.
Developments
March
- On 2 March 2026, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) invited bids for the commercial rights to its men's and women's club competitions for a minimum term of 15 years beginning with the 2026–27 season. The tender covered media, digital, data, sponsorship and other commercial assets attached to the Indian Super League (ISL) and Federation Cup, and was structured as a 15-year agreement with an optional five-year extension, a right of first refusal for the successful bidder and a five per cent annual increase in value.[3][4]
- Three companies submitted bids. London-based Genius Sports and FanCode bid for the ISL and Federation Cup package.[5][3]
- On 27 March 2026, the AIFF opened the technical bids in the morning and the commercial bids later the same day. Genius Sports emerged as the highest bidder for the men's package at approximately ₹64.39 crore (US$6.7 million) per year, or about ₹2,129 crore (US$220 million) across 20 years, while FanCode offered ₹36 crore (US$3.7 million) in the first year, amounting to roughly ₹1,190 crore (US$120 million) over the same period. The figures marked a sharp rise on the existing cycle, in which FanCode had acquired the 2025–26 ISL media rights for ₹8.62 crore (US$900,000) and production costs had left the federation with net revenue of about ₹3.4 crore (US$350,000).[6][7][8]
- Under the model set out in the tender, the AIFF was to receive a fifth of the committed annual spend in advance, with 70 per cent of net revenue shared with the federation at the end of each season and 60 per cent of that sum distributed among the participating clubs. The two bids divided the stakeholders: the federation favoured Genius Sports for its larger guaranteed payments, while the clubs preferred FanCode's lower upfront commitment, which they argued left more scope for central revenue to reach them.[6][7][5][8]
- On 28 March 2026, the ISL clubs wrote jointly to the AIFF asking it not to take a binding decision at the Executive Committee meeting scheduled for the following day, stating that the tender documents had been made available less than 12 hours before the bids were opened and seeking detailed presentations from both bidders.[4][9][10]
May
- On 14 May 2026, the ISL clubs proposed that they take over the commercial running of the league themselves under a club-led model. The AIFF did not accept the proposal outright at that stage.[11]
- On 17 May 2026, the AIFF Club Licensing Committee–First Instance Body granted the Premier 1 licence, with sanctions, to seven clubs — NorthEast United, East Bengal, Jamshedpur, Mumbai City, Bengaluru, Goa and Punjab. The applications of SC Delhi, Odisha, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Chennaiyin, Kerala Blasters, Mohammedan and Inter Kashi were rejected.[12]
- On 23 May 2026, the Genius Sports bid for the league's commercial rights could not be approved at a Special General Meeting in Kolkata after several clubs sought greater clarity on the associated revenue-sharing model.[13][6]
- Following the meeting, the AIFF set 15 June 2026 as the deadline for clubs to confirm participation for the 2026–27 season with a ₹1 crore (US$100,000) fee. The federation also outlined plans to begin the 2026–27 season with the Durand Cup in July before starting a 14-team double round-robin league by early September. The clubs presented a counter-proposal promising to generate approximately ₹60 crore (US$6.2 million) annually to operate the league and cup competitions while matching most of the commitments made by Genius Sports, which had offered ₹67 crore (US$7.0 million) annually for 15+5 years.[13]
June
- By early June 2026, with the calendar still unresolved, more than 150 ISL players were out of contract, several of them internationals, and most clubs had not opened renewal talks. Óscar Bruzón left East Bengal shortly after guiding the club to its first national league title in 22 years, while Goa and East Bengal, both due to appear in AFC competitions, were unable to begin preparations.[13][14]
- In early June 2026, following meetings between club owners in Mumbai, the clubs emailed AIFF deputy secretary general M. Satyanarayan a revised proposal for a two-year club-led pilot model under which the federation would receive ₹15 crore (US$1.6 million) annually for the league's commercial rights.[15]
- The proposal exceeded the approximately ₹12.4 crore (US$1.3 million) that Genius Sports had committed as administrative fees for the 2026–27 season. Writing on behalf of the clubs, FC Goa chief executive Ravi Puskur argued that prevailing market conditions undervalued the league and that none of the clubs would pay the proposed ₹1 crore (US$100,000) participation fee under a Genius Sports-led commercial model.[15]
- On 8 June 2026, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met AIFF officials, club representatives and former AIFF president Praful Patel at the Sports Authority of India office in New Delhi. He assured the clubs that the 2026–27 season would proceed as scheduled and asked both sides to establish a task force to prepare a structured roadmap for the league.[16][11][17]
- The meeting resulted in a four-year club-led proposal under which each of the 14 clubs would contribute ₹1.1 crore (US$110,000) annually, generating ₹15.4 crore (US$1.6 million) in administration fees for the AIFF. On 9 June, the federation announced that it had agreed to the proposal in principle, with the season expected to begin on 4 September while the Durand Cup would run from 25 June to 25 July.[16][11]
- On 20 June 2026, an AIFF Special General Meeting approved a proposal permitting clubs in the ISL and the Indian Football League (IFL) to field a starting eleven containing three foreign players and one player holding Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI). At least 12 of the 14 clubs opposed the measure, while Mohun Bagan Super Giant later submitted recommendations including making OCI selection optional and limiting registrations.[18][19]
July
- On 2 July 2026, after accepting the clubs' proposal in principle, the AIFF sought clarification on three provisions before formally transferring the league's commercial rights: audit rights over the ISL special purpose vehicle, a 10% share of the league's net profits, and the clubs' right to terminate the agreement after two years.[20]
- The AIFF instead proposed a renegotiation mechanism after two seasons, with any termination requiring sufficient notice to allow alternative arrangements for the league's continued operation.[20]
- On 8 July 2026, the AIFF and the ISL Managing Committee formally signed a four-year club-led agreement after resolving outstanding issues relating to independent auditing, profit-sharing and the termination clause.[11][21][22]
- Under the agreement, clubs would hold the league's commercial rights through a special purpose vehicle while the AIFF retained regulatory control. Participation fees were fixed at ₹1.1 crore (US$110,000), ₹1.15 crore (US$120,000), ₹1.2 crore (US$120,000) and ₹1.25 crore (US$130,000) over four seasons, with promotion and relegation continuing and the league reverting to a full home-and-away format.[11][21]
- In mid-July 2026, Satyanarayan wrote to all 14 clubs requiring written confirmation of participation together with the first instalment of ₹55 lakh (US$57,000) by 20 July, with the second ₹55 lakh (US$57,000) due before 14 August.[22][23]
- By the 20 July 2026 deadline, 12 of the 14 clubs had completed the first instalment, with Jamshedpur and Inter Kashi the only two outstanding; both had written to the AIFF seeking an extension on operational grounds. The first instalments of East Bengal, Mohun Bagan SG and Diamond Harbour were adjusted against prize money owed to them from the previous season.[24][25]
- On 25 July 2026, the AIFF, together with the clubs, released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the media rights of the season under the new club-led commercial model. The RFP offered two packages: Package A combined media rights with live production responsibilities, while Package B offered media rights without production, with the clubs responsible for arranging live production.[26]
- On 31 July 2026, the league signed a new four-year agreement with Swiss sports technology company Sportradar to remain the league's official Data and Integrity Partner until the end of the 2029–30 season. The agreement was valued at ₹57 crore (US$5.9 million), equivalent to ₹15 crore (US$1.6 million) per season, representing an increase of approximately 21% over the previous full-season agreement for the 2024–25 season.[27]
- On 31 July 2026, Jamshedpur announced that it would not participate in the 2026–27 season, ending its nine-year association with the competition after being a member since the 2017–18 season. The club had failed to pay the ₹55 lakh (US$57,000) participation fee by the extended deadline after previously seeking additional time to complete internal shareholder approval procedures. Inter Kashi paid its instalment on the same day. The withdrawal reduced the number of participating clubs from 14 to 13 for the 2026–27 season.[28][29][30]
August
- On 13 August 2026, the Indian Super League secured a new two-year agreement with Nivia Sports, which retained its position as the league's official ball and equipment partner from the 2026–27 season. Nivia will supply official match balls to the league and its participating clubs, as well as referee kits and apparel for the league's central team.[31]
- On 14 August 2026, Tata Steel agreed to transfer its entire equity stake in Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited (JFSPL) to Churchill Brothers for a token consideration of ₹100 (US$1.00). The agreement included the transfer of Jamshedpur FC's league sporting licence and the contracts of 12 players and two coaches. Churchill Brothers agreed to take over the contracts of players and coaching staff from September 2026, subject to AIFF approval and other applicable conditions.[32][33]
- On 14 August 2026, 13 of the 14 participating clubs completed the second instalment of the ISL participation fee for the 2026–27 season. Churchill Brothers, following its agreement to acquire Jamshedpur FC's sporting licence and the ownership of JFSPL, also completed the full participation fee payment. Diamond Harbour were the only club yet to make the second payment.[33]
- On 18 August 2026, Diamond Harbour sought additional time from the AIFF to clear its outstanding final instalment of the ISL participation fee and confirm its participation in the 2026–27 season. The AIFF had set 14 August as the deadline for clubs to complete the ₹1.1 crore (US$110,000) participation fee in two instalments of ₹55 lakh (US$57,000) each.[34]
- On 19 August 2026, the AIFF, on behalf of the federation and the participating clubs, confirmed that the season would proceed with 13 clubs after Diamond Habour failed to complete its outstanding participation-fee payment by the extended deadline. The season will be played in a double round-robin format on a home-and-away basis.[35]
- On 19 August 2026, the clubs opened direct discussions with Zee and Sony Sports over the league's media rights for the upcoming four-season cycle after the tender attracted only one bid. Google also held discussions with the clubs regarding potential support for making the matches available live on YouTube.[36]
- On 22 August 2026, the AIFF was reported to be considering a one-season suspension of relegation from the league following the reduction in participating clubs from 14 to 13, subject to approval from the league governing council and the executive committee. Diamond Harbour FC's failure to complete its participation-fee payment left the league with 13 teams, while Mohammedan had already been relegated after finishing bottom of the previous season.[37]
September
- On 2 September 2026, the AIFF informed the clubs that relegation would continue to apply at the conclusion of the 2026–27 season despite the reduction in participating clubs from 14 to 13. Diamond Harbour FC, which had won the IFL in 2025–26 and earned promotion to the ISL, did not take up its promoted slot. The AIFF therefore ruled that they would be deemed to finish at the bottom of the table, would not be eligible to earn points during the season, and would not retain ISL status for 2027–28, meaning the club would compete in the IFL in that season.[38]
- The AIFF also confirmed the return of the Indian Super League playoff system, with six teams competing for the league championship.[39]
Changes from last season
- After losing AFC Champions League Two slots owing to India's drop to 15th in the West Zone of the AFC rankings, this is the first season to feature the champion or the best eligible club earning a slot for the AFC Challenge League preliminary round, the Asian third-tier continental competition.[40]
- The ISL Cup playoffs make a comback after being absent from the 2025–26 Indian Super League.[41]
Teams
13 teams from 11 cities are competing in the 13th season of Indian Super League.
| # | Team | Path | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entered ISL | |||
| 1 | Churchill Brothers | Ownership transfer  |
License transferred from Jamshedpur[42] |
| Exited ISL | |||
| 1 | Mohammedan | Relegated to 2026–27 IFL  |
[43] |
| 2 | Jamshedpur | Withdrew | License transferred to Churchill Brothers[44] |
| 3 | Diamond Harbour | Barred from participation and relegated to 2027–28 IFL |
The 2025–26 IFL Champions failed to pay the outstanding participation fee and will be relegated to the 2027–28 IFL without playing a game[45][46] |
Stadiums and locations
Kolkata
Margao
Locations of Indian Super League teams
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru | Bengaluru | Sree Kanteerava Stadium | 25,810 |
| Chennaiyin | Chennai | Marina Arena | 40,000 |
| Churchill Brothers | Vasco | Tilak Maidan | 5,000 |
| Delhi | New Delhi | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium | 60,254 |
| East Bengal | Kolkata | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan | 68,000 |
| Goa | Margao | Fatorda Stadium | 19,000 |
| Inter Kashi[a] | Varanasi | Kishore Bharati Krirangan | 12,000 |
| Kerala Blasters | Kochi | Kaloor Stadium | 40,000 |
| Mohun Bagan SG | Kolkata | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan | 68,000 |
| Mumbai City | Mumbai | Mumbai Football Arena | 7,000 |
| NorthEast United | Guwahati | IG Athletic Stadium | 21,600 |
| Odisha | Bhubaneswar | Kalinga Stadium | 15,000 |
| Punjab[b] | Mohali | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium | 60,254 |
Personnel and kits
| Team | Head coach | Captain(s) | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru |  Pep Muñoz |
 Sunil Chhetri |
Puma | JSW |
| Chennaiyin | Clifford Miranda |
Six5Six | ISGL.in | |
| Churchill Brothers |  Dimitris Dimitriou |
King Sports | Churchill Brothers | |
| Delhi |  Tomasz Tchórz |
Six5Six | Universal Sompo General Insurance | |
| East Bengal | Antonio López Habas |
Trak Only | Emami | |
| Goa | Gouramangi Singh |
Trak Only | ISGL.in | |
| Inter Kashi | Hummel | RDB Group | ||
| Kerala Blasters |  Ashley Westwood |
Bikash Yumnam Aibanbha Dohling |
Six5Six | White Gold |
| Mohun Bagan SG |  Panagiotis Dilmperis |
Subhasish Bose |
Skechers | CESC |
| Mumbai City | Manolo Márquez |
Puma | Etihad Airways | |
| NorthEast United | Juan Pedro Benali |
Reebok | Meghalaya Tourism | |
| Odisha | TG Purushothaman |
Kaidos Sports | Odisha Tourism | |
| Punjab | Pavlos Dermitzakis |
Nikhil Prabhu |
Shiv Naresh | DafaNews |
Coaching changes
| Team | Outgoing coach | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position | Incoming coach | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Bengal | Óscar Bruzón |
Contract expired | 4 May 2026[49] | Pre-season | Antonio López Habas |
7 July 2026[50] |
| Goa | Manolo Márquez |
Signed by Mumbai City | 19 June 2026[51] | Gouramangi Singh |
24 July 2026[52] | |
| Mohun Bagan SG | Sergio Lobera |
Contract expired | 16 June 2026[53] | Panagiotis Dilmperis |
7 July 2026[50] | |
| Mumbai City |  Petr Kratky |
10 June 2026[54] | Manolo Márquez |
18 July 2026[55] | ||
| Punjab | Panagiotis Dilmperis |
Signed by Mohun Bagan SG | 7 July 2026[50] | Pavlos Dermitzakis |
18 July 2026[56] | |
| Churchill Brothers | N/a | N/a | N/a[57] | Dimitris Dimitriou |
18 July 2026[58] |
Foreign players
The AIFF allows teams to register a maximum of six foreign players. A maximum of four can be fielded in a match at a time.[59]
Regular season
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bengaluru | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Champions and qualification for the Challenge League preliminary stage and semi-finals |
| 2 | Chennaiyin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Qualification for the SAFF Club Championship and semi-finals |
| 3 | Churchill Brothers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Qualification for the knockouts |
| 4 | Delhi | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | East Bengal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | Goa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 7 | Inter Kashi | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 8 | Kerala Blasters | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 9 | Mohun Bagan SG[a] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 10 | Mumbai City | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 11 | NorthEast United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 12 | Odisha | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 13 | Punjab | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 14 | Diamond Harbour (R) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Barred and relegated to 2027–28 IFL[35] |
First match(es) will be played: September 2026. Source: Indian Super League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) head-to-head points; 5) head-to-head goal difference; 6) head-to-head goals scored; 7) fair play ranking; 8) drawing of lots
(Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).
(R) Relegated
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) head-to-head points; 5) head-to-head goal difference; 6) head-to-head goals scored; 7) fair play ranking; 8) drawing of lots
(Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).
(R) Relegated
Notes:
- If Mohun Bagan SG, who are banned from AFC competitions until 2028–29 season, become ISL champions, the ISL league runners-up will qualify for Challenge League preliminary stage.[60]
Results
Match by match
Form
Position by round
Season statistics
- As of 26 May 2026
Top scorers
| Rank | Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
Top assists
| Rank | Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
Clean sheets
| Rank | Player | Team | Clean sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
Discipline
Player
- Most yellow cards: 0
- TBD
- Most red cards: 0
- TBD
Club
- Most yellow cards: 0
- TBD
- Most red cards: 0
- TBD
Awards
| Award | Winner | Team | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Ball | TBD | TBD | |
| Golden Boot | TBD | TBD | |
| Golden Glove | TBD | TBD |
ISL Cup playoffs
The ISL Cup Play-offs is a knockout tournament held after the regular league season.
- Format:
- Top six teams from the league qualify for the playoffs.
- The top two teams advance directly to the two-legged semi-finals.
- Teams ranked 3rd to 6th play a single-legged knockout round, hosted by the higher-ranked team.
- Progression:
- Winners of the knockout stage join the top two teams in the semi-finals.
- Semi-finals are played over two legs to determine the finalists.
- The tournament culminates in a single-leg final hosted by the higher-ranked league side to crown the ISL Cup winner.
Bracket
2027 Indian Super League playoffs
Knockout
2027 Indian Super League playoffs
Semi-finals
2027 Indian Super League playoffs
ISL Cup final
Attendance
Regular season
| Pos | Team | Total | High | Low | Average | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mohun Bagan SG | NA | ||||
| 2 | Bengaluru | NA | ||||
| 3 | East Bengal | NA | ||||
| 4 | Kerala Blasters | NA | ||||
| 5 | Delhi | NA | ||||
| 6 | NorthEast United | NA | ||||
| 7 | Chennaiyin | NA | ||||
| 8 | Mumbai City | NA | ||||
| 9 | Goa | NA | ||||
| 10 | Punjab | NA | ||||
| 11 | Inter Kashi | NA | ||||
| 12 | Odisha | NA | ||||
| 13 | Churchill Brothers | n/a | ||||
| League total | n/a |
Source: [citation needed]
By home matches
| Team \ Home Game | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru | ||||||||||||||
| Chennaiyin | ||||||||||||||
| Delhi | ||||||||||||||
| Churchill Brothers | ||||||||||||||
| East Bengal | ||||||||||||||
| Goa | ||||||||||||||
| Inter Kashi | ||||||||||||||
| Kerala Blasters | ||||||||||||||
| Mohun Bagan SG | ||||||||||||||
| Mumbai City | ||||||||||||||
| NorthEast United | ||||||||||||||
| Odisha | ||||||||||||||
| Punjab |
Legend: Highest Lowest