Indian Super League Home-and-Away Format Returns

The Indian Super League will return to its traditional home-and-away format for the 2026-27 season, which is set to begin on October 10, 2026, and run until May 2027. The new season marks a shift to a club-led model and follows a previous edition that was played in a truncated, single-leg format due to administrative and commercial uncertainty. The league will feature 13 teams, with 163 matches scheduled over eight months. The top team after the round-robin league stage will be crowned the Shield Winners and earn a place in Asian continental competition. The top six teams will then advance to the playoffs to compete for the ISL Cup. This structure gives clubs the opportunity to compete for both the league title and the knockout trophy. The participating clubs are Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, East Bengal FC, FC Goa, Kerala Blasters FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC, Odisha FC, Punjab FC, Sporting Club Delhi, Inter Kashi FC, and Churchill Brothers FC. Churchill Brothers' participation remains subject to regulatory approval. The team is set to replace Jamshedpur FC.