14 teams, 91 matches, 3 months of non-stop action
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season kicks off tomorrow, February 14, 2026, after months of uncertainty and legal battles that nearly derailed India’s top football league. This truncated 12th edition features a single-leg round-robin format with 91 matches ending May 17, crowning the top team as champions without playoffs.
Kick off, finally!
The buildup has been chaotic, with the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) putting the season “on hold” in July 2025 over expiring Master Rights Agreement issues, prompting Supreme Court intervention. Delays piled on due to failed commercial rights bids and I-League promotion controversies – Churchill Brothers’ title was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, handing it to Inter Kashi. Hyderabad FC’s rebrand to Sporting Club Delhi adds intrigue in a season marred with budget cuts.
1️⃣4️⃣ teams. ⚽️
9️⃣1️⃣ games. ⚔️
1️⃣ champion. 🏆Lock yourselves in, because #ISL12 begins on Saturday! 💪 pic.twitter.com/3EJac9hySj
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) February 13, 2026
The Teams
12 ISL teams return, joined by promoted Inter Kashi, and former champions Hyderabad FC who have now been rebranded as SC Delhi, will battle out in a 14-team showdown across 12 cities.
| Team | Head Coach | Key Captain/Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru FC | Renedy Singh | Sunil Chhetri |
| Chennaiyin FC | Clifford Miranda | Elsinho |
| SC Delhi | Tomasz Tchórz | Alex Saji (ex-Hyderabad) |
| East Bengal FC | Oscar Bruzon | Naorem Mahesh Singh |
| FC Goa | Manolo Márquez | Sandesh Jhingan |
| Inter Kashi | Antonio López Habas | Sumeet Passi (newly promoted) |
| Jamshedpur FC | Owen Coyle | Pronay Halder |
| Kerala Blasters | David Català | Danish Farooq |
| Mohun Bagan SG | Sergio Lobera | Subhasish Bose (defending champs) |
| Mohammedan SC | Mehrajuddin Wadoo | Pukhrambam Dinesh Meitei |
| Mumbai City FC | Petr Kratky | Lallianzuala Chhangte |
| NorthEast United | Juan Pedro Benali | Michel Zabaco |
| Odisha FC | TG Purushothaman | Carlos Delgado |
| Punjab FC | Panagiotis Dilberis | Nikhil Prabhu |
New Broadcasters
FanCode holds the broadcast rights for all 91 matches after winning the tender for ₹8.62 crore, with KPS Studios handling production. Reports suggest Sony Sports Network will sub-license the TV broadcasts from Fancode who will be live stream the games.
North to South ⚽️ East to West.
Back your club with a Team Pass
or go all in for the full season.ISL 2025-26. LIVE from Feb 14 on FanCode. pic.twitter.com/bvl8Krt6T9
— FanCode (@FanCode) February 12, 2026
The Opening Round
For the first time since the league’s launch in 2014, the ISL will be held mostly on weekends in a proper gameweek, with double headers on multiple days. The opening day pits defending champions Mohun Bagan SG against Kerala Blasters (Feb 14, 5 PM IST, Kolkata) in what will be a throwback to old times, while back-to-back Super Cup champions FC Goa host newly promoted Inter Kashi (Feb 14, 7:30 PM IST, Fatorda), in what promises to be a perfect test for title contenders and newbies.
Elsewhere, Jamshedpur FC will host Mohammedan on Sunday in the first game, while Bengaluru FC host SC Delhi in the evening. Super Cup finalists East Bengal will host Durand Cup champions NorthEast United on Monday evening, while Mumbai City hosts Chennaiyin on Thursday. Odisha FC’s opener against Punjab FC has been postponed due to unavailability of the venue.
