Mumbai, Sept. 5 -- The Indian Super League (ISL) will begin its 2026-27 season on October 10, marking the start of a new club-led era for India's top-tier football competition. The season will run through May 2027, with 163 matches scheduled across eight months.

The league will return to its traditional home-and-away format, with the team finishing at the top of the table at the end of the league stage crowned the ISL Shield Winners and official champions. The Shield winners will also secure a place in Asian competition.

The upcoming season will also see the return of the play-off format, with the top six teams battling for the ISL Cup. This will bring back a separate knockout pathway to determine the Cup champions.

The 2026-27 season ...