Super Cup 2025 will probably start in Goa on 25 October; Draw planned a month earlier

The seasonal Super Cup will probably start from 25 October in Goa, an official of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said Tuesday.

After a meeting with all Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, the Federation had decided to get the Super Cup for the ISL, with the provisional dates between October and November.

And after the Supreme Court of India has been agreed to a joint proposal from the AIFF and the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL)-the organizing body of the ISL-Wordt followed the planned route map for the 2025-26 season.

Accordingly, the Super Cup, which was usually the last tournament of the season, will be the first.

How many clubs will participate in the Super Cup?

The Super Cup is expected to have 16 teams: 12 of the ISL and four of the I-League. According to reports, all ISL clubs except Odisha FC agreed to participate in the tournament.

The participating I-League teams are probably Inter Kashi, Real Kashmir, Gokulam Kerala FC and Rajasthan United.

What is at stake at the Super Cup?

The AIFF has told the clubs that the winning team of the Super Cup will get the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL 2) play-off place for the 2026-27 season.

But the winner will have to possess the Premier 1 license under the Indian Club-License Regulations that are relevant to the 2026-27 season.

FC Goa then achieved the ACL 2-play-offs and then in the group phase-this season as the Super Cup 2024-25 champion.

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The AIFF has said earlier that if an Indian club participating in ACL 2-play-off is unable to secure the qualification, it will automatically enter the group phase of the AFC Challenge League (ACGL), the third level of the club competition of the continent (a level under ACL 2).

This mechanism will ensure continuous continental participation for Indian clubs, even in the case of an ACL 2 play-off stage output.

What is the size of the Super Cup?

The Super Cup is played in a group phase Round-Robin followed by eliminators with one leg, with the final planned in November.

How are the teams signed?

The groups still have to be confirmed with the draw that is almost held on Thursday 25 September.

Published on September 23, 2025