Bengaluru FC to face Sporting Club Delhi in ISL season opener

MUMBAI: Bengaluru FC will take on Sporting Club Delhi at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in the Indian Super League (ISL) season opener on October 10, followed by followed by FC Goa facing Chennaiyin FC at the Fatorda Stadium on the same day.

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, the organisers said in a press release.

The 13 participating clubs for the season are 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.

The 2026-27 campaign will bring several new fixtures and destinations to the ISL calendar. Churchill Brothers' meeting with FC Goa on December 13 at the Fatorda Stadium will mark the first-ever ISL Goa Derby, adding a new local rivalry to the competition.

The league will also expand its footprint into Manipur, with NorthEast United FC taking on Sporting Club Delhi at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal on November 24.

Meanwhile, defending champions East Bengal FC will begin their title defence on October 18, when they face Churchill Brothers at the Fatorda Stadium. East Bengal FC will be absent from Game Week 1 due to their AFC commitments.

The Kolkata Derby will be played on on November 29, with East Bengal FC hosting Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.

International break in November

The ISL will pause for the FIFA international window from November 7 to November 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.

Phase 1 will feature 78 matches from October 10, 2026 to January 17, 2027, with the top six teams advancing to the playoffs. Phase 2 and playoff fixtures will be announced at a later date.

The venue for Inter Kashi's home fixtures will be confirmed in due course, once the club confirms its home ground.