When does ISL start? Respite for Indian football as Indian Super League finally returns for new season

Ritabrata_Banerjee

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When does ISL start? Respite for Indian football as Indian Super League finally returns for new season image

The All India Football Federation has confirmed that the 2025-26 season of the Indian Super League will finally commence on February 14, 2026.

Fourteen teams are participating this time in the ISL. Inter Kashi, who won the I-League in the 2024-25 season, have been promoted and will be the ISL's 14th participant.

Fixtures will be released by the AIFF in the next few weeks after due consultation with the stakeholders of the ISL.

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What did AIFF say about new season of ISL?

AIFF confirmed the dates and format of the new season of the ISL. Teams will play in a single round-robin format, instead of the two-legged home-and-away matches, due to a lack of time at hand.

The league, which generally starts by the end of September or early October, has now been pushed to February, due to a lack of sponsorship for AIFF after FSDL's contract with the federation ended in December this year. 

The official statement from the AIFF read: "The All India Football Federation is pleased to announce that the 2025-26 Indian Super League season will commence on February 14, 2026. The 14 participating teams will compete in a single-leg round-robin format. Detailed fixtures will be released following further consultation with the clubs."

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What is the format of the ISL 2025-26 season?

Due to a time crunch and a delayed start to the season, AIFF will conduct the league in a single round-robin format, however, it won't be held at a centralised.

Noted The Times of India journalist Marcus Mergulhao posted on social media the league will be conducted in a Swiss-system format, like the one used in the Champions League since last season.

Depending on logistics, the number of home and away matches of the 14 teams will be decided in due course.  

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