Panaji: This will be a season of firsts for the Indian Super League (ISL).




For the first time, India’s top tier football league will have a club-led model. In another first, Goa will host the opening match of the league, and there will be two clubs from the state, paving the way for the first Goa Derby .




FC Goa have been drawn to feature in the opening night as they take on Chennaiyin FC at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Oct 10. A day later, Churchill Brothers FC will make their ISL debut with a clash against former champions Mumbai City FC, now coached by Manolo Marquez.




Bengaluru FC will host SC Delhi in the opening match on Oct 10.




“Built on fan feedback, the 2026-27 season will place a strong emphasis on weekend football, with 53 of the 78 Phase 1 matches (68%) scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays. Matches will primarily be played at 5pm and 7.30pm, offering fans more opportunities to follow the league over the weekend,” the league said while releasing the fixtures on Saturday.




Goa and Churchill will play their home games at Fatorda. At least in the first phase, the marquee game for Goan fans will be the clash between the two state teams in the Goa Derby. It’s happening on Dec 13.




The 13 participating clubs for the season include Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Churchill Brothers, East Bengal FC, FC Goa, Inter Kashi, Kerala Blasters FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC, Odisha FC, Punjab FC and Sporting Club Delhi.




For the first time, the league will expand its footprint into Manipur, with NorthEast United FC taking on Sporting Club Delhi at the Khuman Lampak Stadium, Imphal, on Nov 24.




Meanwhile, defending champions East Bengal will begin their title defence on Oct 18, when they face Churchill at Fatorda Stadium. East Bengal will be absent from game week 1 due to their AFC commitments.


The Kolkata derby, one of the most iconic fixtures in Asian football, will be played on Nov 29, with East Bengal hosting Mohun Bagan at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.




The ISL will pause for the FIFA international window from Nov 7 to Nov 20, with no league matches scheduled during this period. The break will provide players with the opportunity to join their respective national teams for international duty.




The organisers have not yet announced the venue for Inter Kashi's home fixtures.