ISL 2025-26 schedule: preliminary list of matches; Mohun Bagan vs Kerala Blasters the opening match

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has drawn up a preliminary schedule for the 2025-26 season of the Indian Super League so that potential commercial partners can plan their bids accordingly.

The draft schedule includes all 91 matches, with defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant hosting Kerala Blasters at the Salt Lake Stadium in the opening match on February 14.

The Kolkata derby will start on May 3 at 7.30 PM while the last match between Chennaiyin FC and Bengaluru FC will be played on May 17.

Each matchday will have double headers and the tournament will be played in a single-leg home-and-away format.

However, the schedule is not yet fully finalized and is subject to change depending on the convenience of the clubs and other stakeholders.

“This schedule is indicative and may be used by interested bidders for information purposes only,” the AIFF clearly states in the draft document seen in this publication. “The schedule remains subject to change based on input from participating clubs, and a final schedule will form part of the contract.”

Change of home locations to save costs

Sportstar understands that the AIFF discussed with ISL clubs at its meeting on December 28 on the best ways to make the truncated season cost-efficient, prompting discussions with state governments and the Sports Authority of India for stadiums.

As a result, the draft notes some significant location changes for certain clubs.

For example, Mohammedan Sporting had initially locked down Kishore Bharati Krirangan but plans to set up base at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur this season.

Inter Kashi played its I-League home matches in Kalyani, West Bengal last season. It now wants to share its home with Odisha FC at the Kalinga Stadium, which is owned and managed by the State Government of Odisha.

Chennaiyin FC will continue to use the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium as its home ground, with its first home match on March 13 against Mohammedan Sporting. NorthEast United, which played at two venues in Guwahati and Shillong last season, will stick with the erstwhile Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Sarusajai this season.

Kerala Blasters, on the other hand, will play their home matches at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode, which has previously hosted Super Cup matches.

Three stadiums are currently awaiting confirmation – Kalinga Stadium, EMS Corporation Stadium and Mumbai City Arena – but are likely to get the nod soon for the four-month ISL season.

Published on January 26, 2026