Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Indian Super League Returns With Hope After Troubled Season
The Indian Super League is starting a new season after a difficult, shortened season last year.
Bengaluru FC will play SC Delhi in the first match on Saturday in Bengaluru.
This season, teams will play home and away before the playoffs.
The team with the most points at the end of the league stage will win the ISL Shield.
The top six teams will then compete for the ISL Cup.
The league has a new sponsorship deal with MG and a streaming partnership with YouTube.
Bengaluru finished fourth last season and has added several players.
Sunil Chhetri is staying with Bengaluru for another season.
The 2026-27 Indian Super League begins Saturday with Bengaluru FC hosting SC Delhi at Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
The league returns to a home-and-away format followed by playoffs after the shortened, controversy-ridden 2025-26 season.
The league-stage leader will win the ISL Shield, and the top six clubs will compete for the ISL Cup.
The 13-team season has a ₹25 crore, two-season MG sponsorship and a digital streaming partnership with YouTube.
Bengaluru finished fourth last season with 23 points from 13 matches; Sunil Chhetri has extended his stay for another season.
- Who
- The Indian Super League; Bengaluru FC and SC Delhi play the opening match.
- What
- The 2026-27 season begins, returning to a home-and-away league format followed by playoffs.
- When
- Saturday; the articles do not give a calendar date.
- Where
- The opening match is at Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
- Why
- The league is beginning a new season after a controversy-ridden, shortened 2025-26 campaign.
- Edition
- 13th edition; 2026-27 season
- Opening match
- Bengaluru FC vs SC Delhi
- Opening venue
- Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru
- League format
- Home-and-away league stage followed by playoffs
- Playoff qualification
- The top six clubs compete for the ISL Cup
- Sponsorship
- ₹25 crore deal with MG for two seasons
- Bengaluru's previous finish
- Fourth, with 23 points from 13 matches
- Other match mentioned
- Chennaiyin FC vs FC Goa
