New Delhi: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 season has been postponed by more than a month and will now begin only after October 6. The league was originally scheduled to start on September 4 but has been pushed back to accommodate the FIFA international window from September 21 to October 6. The revised fixtures are expected to be announced shortly.
The upcoming season will feature 13 teams after Diamond Harbour FC failed to pay the second instalment of their participation fee by the extended deadline. The club had earned promotion to the ISL after winning the Indian Football League 2025-26 but needed to complete a payment of ₹55 lakh to confirm its participation.
All 14 clubs were initially required to pay the second instalment of the ₹1.1 crore participation fee by August 14. Diamond Harbour FC received additional time to make the payment but failed to meet the extended deadline, resulting in the league proceeding with 13 teams.
The ISL has already undergone significant changes ahead of the new season. Jamshedpur FC withdrew from the competition and disbanded its first team on July 31 after failing to pay the first ₹55 lakh instalment of the participation fee.
Churchill Brothers subsequently secured their place in the upcoming ISL season after paying the full ₹1.1 crore participation fee on August 14. The Goan club took over the league opportunity following Jamshedpur FC’s withdrawal.
With the number of participating teams now settled at 13, the focus will shift towards finalising the fixture schedule and preparations for the delayed campaign.
The later start will allow the league to begin after the September international window, avoiding a clash with FIFA international commitments. The revised calendar will also be important for clubs as they plan player availability, travel and match preparations.
The postponement adds another major development to an already eventful build-up to the new ISL season, with changes in participating clubs and the league structure shaping the campaign before it has even begun.
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