The All India Football Federation (AIFF), the governing body of football in India, released a partial schedule for the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 on Monday, January 26. This announcement serves as a timely update for players, franchises, and fans who have been anxiously awaiting the calendar since the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in coordination with the AIFF, revived the previously suspended league.
Who will kick off the ISL 2025-26 season?
The AIFF confirmed that defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giants (MBSG) will kick off the season at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK), famously known as the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata with face-off against the Kerala Blasters. This iconic venue recently made global headlines when Argentine legend Lionel Messi arrived in December 2025 for his “GOAT Tour” in India.
The partial schedule, widely shared across social media, lists the final league game for April 24, featuring NorthEast United against FC Goa at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.
But where can fans live-stream the ISL 2025-26 season?
While the fixtures are now public, a major worry remains: the broadcast and streaming rights for this truncated 91-match season. The AIFF, which is managing the league financially with the support of a franchise collective, has yet to finalize a media partner.
Following a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued on January 19, four potential bidders—Sony Sports Network, Zee Sports, FanCode, and the UK-based firm Two Circles—attended the pre-bid conference on January 23.
A fifth possibility remains in Prasar Bharati, a solution suggested by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, should a private bidder not be finalized. Formal bids are due by February 1, with a winner expected to be crowned just days before the February 14 opener.
Participating Teams for ISL 2025-26
The 14 clubs competing this season are: Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC, Mohammedan SC, Kerala Blasters FC, Mumbai City FC, Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, Sporting Club Delhi (rebranded from Hyderabad FC), Chennaiyin FC, Odisha FC, NorthEast United FC, Jamshedpur FC, Punjab FC, and the newly promoted Inter Kashi.