Indian Super League Guide

Indian Super League

India’s top flight is the Indian Super League (ISL). Launched in 2014 as a closed franchise competition, it is now the official first tier of the All India Football Federation pyramid, with promotion and relegation to the second-tier Indian Football League (the rebranded I-League).

The 2025-26 season was shortened to 13 games each and decided on the table rather than playoffs; East Bengal won their first ISL title and first top-division crown in 22 years. The 2026-27 season starts in October with 13 clubs after Mohammedan were relegated, Jamshedpur withdrew (licence passed to Churchill Brothers) and promoted Diamond Harbour failed to complete their entry fee.

History of Football in India

In the land where cricket is king and cricketers are massively-paid superstars, football struggles for traction. The game has a long history, however, brought to the sub-continent by the British. One of the earliest recorded football matches took place in Calcutta in April 1854 between the Calcutta Club of Civilians and the Gentlemen of Barrackpore. The Dalhousie Club was established in Calcutta in 1878, making it one of the earliest football clubs in the country. Mohun Bagan AC, founded in 1889, is recognized as one of the oldest existing clubs in Asia.

The Durand Cup began in 1888, making it Asia's oldest active football tournament. In 1911 Mohun Bagan became the first all-Indian team to win the IFA Shield by beating the East Yorkshire Regiment, which became a historic moment during the early independence movement.

Following independence in 1947, India experienced a golden age in international football through the 1950s and 1960s, winning gold at both the 1951 and 1962 Asian Games.

Clubs

East Bengal

Kolkata's Red and Golds are the defending ISL champions after beating Inter Kashi 2-1 on the final day and edging Mohun Bagan on goal difference. It was their first national league title since 2003-04 and their first in the ISL era. They play at the huge, 68,000-capacity Salt Lake Stadium, the smaller East Bengal Ground and the 12,000-capacity Kishore Bharati Krirangan.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant

The Mariners are East Bengal's historic city rivals and finished level on 26 points in 2025-26, missing the title only on goal difference. They remain one of India's most decorated clubs and won both the ISL Cup and League Shield in 2024-25. They play at both the Salt Lake Stadium on occasion and the 22,000 capacity Mohun Bagan Ground.

Mumbai City

The Islanders have the strongest overall ISL regular-season record and have won both the Cup and the League Shield. They finished third in the truncated 2025-26 season, one point off the Kolkata pair. Home is the 7,000 capacity , soccer-specific Mumbai Football Arena.

Bengaluru FC

Founded in 2013, Bengaluru became India's first modern "city club" success story and won the ISL Cup in 2018-19. They finished fourth in 2025-26 and remain a consistent top-half side. The multi-purpose Sree Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium (aka Sampangi Outdoor Stadium) is their 25,800-capacity home ground.

Punjab FC

Formerly RoundGlass Punjab, they were promoted from the I-League and have established themselves as a well-run northern club based in Mohali. They finished fifth in 2025-26 and were in the title conversation until the last round. They now play at the 60,000 capacity Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi. Their previous home was the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Chandigarh.

FC Goa

The Gaurs play at Fatorda (Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium) and are known for an attacking style; they have the most ISL goals of any club historically. They finished seventh in 2025-26 and often pick up AFC places through the Super Cup. The club was founded in 2014. The 19,000-capacity Fatorda Stadium in Margao, Goa is used for both cricket and football.

Kerala Blasters

Based in Kochi, they have the loudest fanbase in Indian football and regularly fill the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (40,000 for soccer matches). On the pitch they have been more inconsistent, finishing eighth in 2025-26.

NorthEast United

The only top-flight club from the Northeast, based in Guwahati. They finished ninth last season and represent a huge region that has produced many India internationals. Home is Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium (Sarusajai Stadium) or Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Polo Ground) in Shillong.

Inter Kashi

Promoted from the I-League after a CAS ruling confirmed them as 2024-25 second-tier champions, they play out of Varanasi. In their first ISL season they finished tenth and were the side East Bengal beat on title day. They play at the 40,000 capacity Birsa Munda Football Stadium.

Sporting Club Delhi

Hyderabad FC relocated to the capital in 2025 and rebranded as SC Delhi. They finished 11th in 2025-26 as they tried to rebuild after the Hyderabad collapse. They play at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium along with East Bengal.

Odisha FC

Based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha grew out of the old Delhi Dynamos franchise and have been a mid-table ISL side with a strong home following. They finished 12th in 2025-26. They have played at the multi-purpose, 15,000-capacity Kalinga Stadium since 2019.

Chennaiyin FC

Two-time ISL Cup winners (2015 and 2017-18) and one of the original 2014 franchises. They had a poor 2025-26, finishing 13th of 14. Their home ground in Chennai is the 40,000-capacity Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Churchill Brothers

The Goan club, multiple I-League champions, enter the 2026-27 ISL after taking over Jamshedpur's participation licence. They bring one of Indian football's oldest professional identities back into the top flight. They share Fatorda Stadium with FC Goa.