The Indian Super League returns to action on October 10 with a total of 13 teams participating in the rebranded league. For the first time ever, the league has decided to stream all its matches for free on YouTube in a bid to expand its football following base in the country.
The ISL on Wednesday, October 7, announced that all 163 matches of the 2026-27 season will be available live and free on YouTube, which has been roped in as its digital streaming partner for the new season. The move is aimed at expanding the ISL’s digital reach and making every match accessible without a subscription barrier. Fans will be able to watch the entire season live on YouTube without having to pay for a separate streaming subscription.
YouTube is not the only platform which will stream ISL. SonyLiv will hold the rights for digital streaming as well. The YouTube move is aimed to expand the audience beyond India, as it will be streamed live all over the world.
ISL 2026/27: BIGGER AND BETTER
The decision comes as the ISL prepares for a major reset after a shortened 2025-26 season. The upcoming campaign will return to the home-and-away format and run from October 10 to May 2027, giving the league a much longer window than the previous edition.
The first phase of the 2026-27 season will comprise 78 matches and run until January 17. The schedule has been designed with a weekend-centric approach, with 53 of the 78 matches in the opening phase set to be played on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.
The league will also feature a number of new developments, including the first-ever Goa Derby in the ISL. Churchill Brothers and FC Goa will meet in the first edition of the fixture, adding a new rivalry to the competition.
The ISL will also make its first visit to Imphal, with NorthEast United FC set to take on Sporting Club Delhi at the Khuman Lampak Stadium on November 24.
The decision to make all matches available for free on YouTube gives the league a wider digital distribution platform as it looks to reach viewers beyond its existing audience. YouTube’s accessibility also means fans can follow matches without the subscription requirement that can otherwise act as a barrier to watching live sport.
The 2026-27 season will feature 13 teams, with Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Churchill Brothers FC, East Bengal FC, FC Goa, Inter Kashi FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC, Odisha FC, Punjab FC and Sporting Club Delhi set to participate.
ISL RETURNS TO HOME-AND-AWAY FORMAT
The 2026-27 season marks a significant change from the previous edition, with the ISL returning to its traditional home-and-away format after the 2025-26 campaign was played in a shortened single-leg format.
The previous season was compressed into a much smaller window after administrative and commercial uncertainty delayed the start of the competition. The upcoming season will instead stretch across nearly eight months, with a total of 163 matches scheduled to be played.
The team finishing first at the end of the league phase will be crowned the Shield Winners and recognised as the official ISL champions. The league leaders will also secure a place in Asian competition.
The playoff race will continue separately, with the top six teams from the league phase qualifying for the knockout stage and competing for the ISL Cup.
Churchill Brothers will enter the competition for the first time after taking over the existing Jamshedpur FC.
WHY ARE 13 TEAMS PLAYING, NOT 14?
Football competitions are playing with an even number of teams. But that is not the case with this season’s ISL.
There will also be a change involving Diamond Harbour FC. The club had secured promotion to the ISL after winning the 2025-26 Indian Football League title but failed to complete the administrative fee requirement needed to take up its place in the top flight.
As a result, Diamond Harbour FC will not be eligible to collect points during the upcoming season and will automatically be placed at the bottom of the standings.
The club will also lose its ISL status for the 2027-28 season and return to the Indian Football League in line with the competition’s promotion and relegation framework.
With the return to the home-and-away format, the ISL will have a considerably longer season in 2026-27. The league will now also have all 163 matches available for free on YouTube, giving its clubs and players a wider digital platform as the competition seeks to expand its audience.
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