Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency: After much hesitation, it was possible to organize a one-off short ISL last season with the joint initiative of the participating clubs and the AIFF. The tournament was limited to league-level competition. After a long 22 years, East Bengal achieved success in the league-level competition at the all-India level, becoming the champion of the 2025-26 ISL season and winning the Shield. But due to time and various obstacles, the knockout game did not take place.
This time, ISL is returning to the old format in the new 2026-27 season. Along with the League Shield fight, the knockout competition is also returning. There was much speculation about when ISL would start. However, ending everything, the club alliance and the Indian Football Federation announced that ISL would start on October 10. It will continue until May 2027. As in the previous format, the participating teams will play league matches against each other in a home and away format. The top-placed team will win the League Shield. That team will participate in the AFC Champions League Tier Two playoffs, as per the current AFC rules.
At the same time, this time, good news for the teams and their fans, after winning the League Shield, the top 6 teams at the end of the league will have a chance to become champions in the knockout stage. These 6 teams will fight to win the ISL Cup. The participating teams will participate in 163 matches in the 8-month competition.
The ISL is starting with a new Jose, a joint initiative of the Indian Football Federation and the Club Alliance. Following the model of the Club Alliance, domestic competitive football in India is going to get a new direction. Before deciding on the format, schedule and starting date of the 2026-27 season, the Federation and the Club Alliance have to keep in mind the international matches of the Indian and club teams. East Bengal is starting their AFC Champions League Tier Two campaign from September 16. Along with this, the Indian football team has several international friendlies against Panama, Brazil, Uruguay and other teams. For this reason, the ISL will end in May.
As things stand, the ISL will be a home and away tournament with 13 teams. Jamshedpur FC has withdrawn from participating in the ISL. They have sold their rights to Goa club Churchill Brothers for Rs 100. It is hoped that the federation will not raise any legal issues regarding the participation of Churchill Brothers in the ISL. Although Churchill did not participate in the Indian Football League last season. On the contrary, Diamond Harbour FC, who participated in the Indian Football League and became champions and got promoted to the ISL, was not allowed to play in the ISL in the 2026-27 season due to various legal issues. They could not deposit the participation fee to the federation on time. And Mohammedan has no chance to play in the ISL due to relegation.
So the list of those who will get a chance to play this time includes last year's champion East Bengal, runners-up Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, FC Goa, Inter Kashi, Kerala Blasters, Mumbai City FC, North East United, Odisha FC, Punjab FC, Sporting Club Delhi, and Churchill Brothers (if allowed under conditions). According to the 2026-27 season format, Diamond Harbour has fallen directly under the relegation rules according to the league's promotion and relegation rules. Their points are being considered zero. And so in the 2026-27 season, they will be in the last place of the league with zero points. To get a chance to play in the ISL in the 2027-28 season, Diamond Harbour will have to win the Indian Football League championship in the 2026-27 season to gain promotion.