Indian football is set for a packed calendar in the 2026-27 season, with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) releasing a tentative schedule that outlines the roadmap for the country’s top domestic competitions. The calendar aims to provide clubs, players and stakeholders with greater clarity as Indian football looks to maintain momentum after a transformative year. According to the proposed schedule, the season will begin with the prestigious Durand Cup before the Indian Super League (ISL) takes centre stage.
Durand Cup to kick off domestic action
The Durand Cup is expected to be the curtain-raiser for the new campaign, with the tournament tentatively scheduled from July 11 to August 20. As Asia’s oldest football competition, the event will once again offer clubs an opportunity to test their squads and build momentum ahead of the league season. The tournament has grown in stature in recent years, attracting participation from top-flight clubs alongside services and regional teams.
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The early start also ensures that clubs have adequate competitive preparation before entering the demanding ISL season. The tournament’s timing aligns with AIFF’s efforts to create a more structured football calendar and reduce scheduling conflicts.
ISL set for September start
As per the tentative calendar, the 2026-27 ISL season is slated to begin on September 1 and continue until April 11, 2027. The proposed timeline would provide clubs with a longer and more stable competitive window while allowing room for international breaks and domestic cup competitions.
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Following the conclusion of the ISL campaign, the Federation Cup is expected to be held from April 20 to May 10, 2027, ensuring competitive football continues deep into the season. The release of the calendar comes amid discussions regarding the future structure of the ISL, but recent assurances from stakeholders indicate that the 2026-27 season will proceed as planned.
The league will take place as SCHEDULED
Key developments from the meeting between ISL club owners and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya:
• The Sports Minister assured clubs that the ISL will continue as scheduled.
• The government has backed the broad framework of… pic.twitter.com/bgC769E0G4
— Ft.Crurann (@MrCruran) June 9, 2026
While the dates remain tentative and are subject to change, the proposed schedule offers a clearer picture of how Indian football’s major competitions are expected to unfold during the 2026-27 campaign.
