Indian Super League 2026-27 Season to Feature 13 Clubs

The All India Football Federation has confirmed that the Indian Super League (ISL) for the 2026-27 season will feature 13 clubs competing in a double round-robin format. The start date and fixtures will be announced soon. Notably, Jamshedpur FC has decided to withdraw from the league, marking a significant change for the team that has been part of the ISL since 2017. Despite this exit, the club remains committed to supporting football development in India through various initiatives. Read on for more details about the upcoming season and the implications of Jamshedpur FC's withdrawal.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 20, 2026, 09:02 IST

AIFF Confirms ISL 2026-27 Structure

On Wednesday, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced that the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) for the 2026-27 season will include 13 clubs. The matches will be conducted in a double round-robin format, with teams playing both home and away.

The exact start date for the ISL 2026-27 season will be revealed soon, along with additional details regarding the fixtures, as stated by the AIFF.

A representative from one of the clubs mentioned that finalizing the number of participating teams is crucial for advancing commercial negotiations and planning the match schedule. 'We are delighted to have confirmed the number of teams for the season, which enables us to proceed with vital commercial discussions and fixture arrangements for the league,' the representative noted.

Withdrawal of Jamshedpur FC

In a significant development, Jamshedpur FC announced last month its decision to withdraw from the Indian Super League starting from the 2026-27 season.

This announcement was made by Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited (JFSPL), the Tata Steel-owned organization managing the club. JFSPL emphasized that despite exiting the ISL, Jamshedpur FC remains dedicated to fostering the growth of football in India through other initiatives.

The departure of Jamshedpur FC marks a notable shift for one of the league's long-standing teams, which joined the ISL in 2017. 'JFSPL is committed to supporting the growth and development of football in India through various means. We will continue our efforts to promote the sport, especially at the grassroots level, and work on identifying and nurturing young football talent across the country to create a robust pathway for aspiring players to reach national and international levels,' JFSPL stated.