After months of uncertainty that threatened to derail India’s top-tier domestic football, the Indian Super League (ISL) has finally begun to take concrete shape for the ISL 2025-26 season in Indian Football.
All 14 clubs have confirmed their participation and home venues, clearing a crucial logistical hurdle ahead of the league’s scheduled kickoff on February 14. While the road to this point has been far from smooth, the confirmation of venues signals a collective intent from clubs and administrators alike to stabilize the league and ensure continuity during a transitional phase for Indian football.
Unsurprisingly, defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant will once again call the Salt Lake Stadium home. The Kolkata giants turned the iconic venue into a near-impenetrable fortress last season, feeding off strong crowds and familiarity with conditions. While alternative options were briefly explored, the club ultimately chose continuity over experimentation, a theme that has defined much of their preparation. With Sergio Lobera now at the helm following Jose Molina’s departure after the Super Cup exit, Mohun Bagan have been in training since late November, giving the new coaching staff valuable time to embed ideas despite the broader uncertainty surrounding the league.
East Bengal, Mohun Bagan’s eternal rivals, are also expected to operate from the Salt Lake Stadium, setting the stage for another season where the venue remains the epicenter of Indian club football. Following their Super Cup final defeat, East Bengal resumed training in early January, keen to avoid another slow start. With both Kolkata heavyweights preparing well in advance, the city once again looks set to play a central role in shaping the ISL narrative.
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Kolkata’s third representative, Mohammedan Sporting, briefly considered a shift away from the Kishore Bharati Krirangan but ultimately decided against it. Concerns over pitch quality particularly around the goalmouth at alternative venues, forced the club to return to familiar territory. For Mohammedan, the decision underscores a broader reality of the current ISL season: practicality and player safety are outweighing commercial or symbolic considerations. In a truncated campaign where margins are thin, reliable infrastructure has become non-negotiable.
Away from West Bengal, the national capital will regain prominence on the ISL map. Punjab FC and Sporting Club Delhi are set to share the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, marking a significant return of top-flight football to New Delhi. Punjab FC has secured formal arrangements with the Sports Authority of India, while Sporting Club Delhi, formerly Hyderabad FC, is in advanced discussions to use the stadium for their home fixtures. The relocation of Sporting Club Delhi following a change in ownership reflects the fluid nature of club identities in Indian football, but their presence in Delhi could help revive interest in the sport across northern India.
Another notable development is the inclusion of Inter Kashi, who will effectively add a new geographic dimension to the league. While the club is based in Varanasi, infrastructural limitations have meant that their home matches this season will be staged in West Bengal, at the Kalyani Stadium. The venue holds historical significance for Inter Kashi, having been central to their early journey in senior men’s football. Their situation highlights a recurring challenge in Indian football, the gap between ambition and infrastructure, but also reflects a willingness from clubs to adapt in order to keep the league moving forward.
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These venue confirmations come against the backdrop of a league that has been operating in limbo since early December. The expiration of the Master Rights Agreement between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) brought operations to a standstill. With no agreement on a new commercial structure and a failed tender process for a fresh partner, the ISL was effectively frozen for nearly four months. Players, coaches, and clubs were left waiting for clarity, unsure whether the season would even take place.
The impasse was finally resolved in early January following intervention from the Sports Ministry, which brought all stakeholders to the table. The outcome was a pragmatic compromise: the ISL would go ahead, but in a reduced format. The 2025–26 season will feature a single-leg round-robin, with each team playing 13 matches. In total, 91 games will be played between February 14 and May 31, with clubs hosting six or seven matches at their designated home venues and playing the rest away.
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From a sporting perspective, the shortened format changes the nature of the competition. There is little room for recovery after a poor run, and consistency from the opening weeks will be vital. Squad depth, rotation, and long-term planning hallmarks of a full-length league will give way to immediacy and efficiency. For supporters, it may feel abrupt; for teams, it will be unforgiving.
Yet, the confirmation of venues and the imminent finalization of fixtures suggest that, at the very least, Indian football has chosen continuity over collapse. The 2025–26 ISL may not be a season of expansion or commercial growth, but it could prove crucial as a stabilizing bridge toward a more sustainable future.
As clubs settle into their home bases and preparations intensify, the focus now shifts from boardrooms back to the pitch, where the league’s credibility will ultimately be tested once again.
