ISL 2025–26 Set to Kick Off on February 14; AIFF Releases Tentative Fixtures

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2025–26 season is set to begin on February 14, with Kolkata hosting the opening fixture between Mohun Bagan and Kerala Blasters, as per a tentative fixture list prepared by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

According to the provisional schedule, the upcoming ISL season will feature 91 matches, with the final scheduled for May 17. All seven matches in the final gameweek are planned to be played simultaneously, maintaining competitive balance heading into the playoffs.

The fixture list remains tentative, as it was issued as part of clarifications provided to prospective bidders responding to the federation’s broadcast rights Request for Proposal (RFP). The AIFF is expected to confirm the final schedule after completing internal and commercial formalities.

Earlier, on January 6, Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, announced that the ISL would commence on February 14, confirming that all 14 clubs have agreed to participate in the league this season.

The confirmation followed deliberations by the AIFF Emergency Committee, which met to review the report submitted by the AIFF–ISL Coordination Committee. The committee had been constituted on December 20, 2025, following discussions at the AIFF Executive Committee meeting and the subsequent Annual General Meeting.

The Coordination Committee was mandated to submit its findings to the AIFF Secretariat by January 2, a requirement that was fulfilled within the stipulated timeline. The Emergency Committee formally acknowledged the report and recommended that the federation proceed with conducting the league.

The ISL 2025–26 season is expected to continue across multiple venues nationwide, featuring clubs from across India and maintaining a congested but structured match calendar through the summer.