ISL 2026-27, Durand Cup Schedule: The AIFF has published the proposed calendar for the 2026-27 Indian football season, providing a broad guideline to the major domestic football events in the country, including the Indian Super League and the coveted Durand Cup.
The proposal was put forward by AIFF at a vital stage of Indian football when the future of the ISL was assured for the next season after stakeholders signed an agreement. The current proposal outlines an intense football season from July 2026 to May 2027 that comprises some of the premier football competitions in the country, both in the men’s and women’s categories.
ISL 2026-27 Calendar
According to the draft released by AIFF, the 2026-27 Indian Super League season is expected to kick off on September 1, 2026, and run until April 11, 2027. The league will be conducted over a span of nearly seven months signaling a return to a full-length tournament after the considerably shorter 2025-26 season.
Details of the ISL 2026-27, Durand Cup Schedule
- Start date: 1 September 2026
- End date: 11 April 2027
- Duration: Roughly 7 months
The league will feature 14 clubs.
Durand Cup 2026 Calendar
The prestige Durand Cup, regarded as the oldest football tournament in Asia, is poised to kickstart the domestic season. The AIFF calendar states that the tournament will be played between July 11 and August 20, 2026.
Details of the Durand Cup 2026:
- Tournament start: 11 July 2026
- Tournament end: 20 August 2026
- Duration: About 40 days
Clubs from the ISL, I-League and services teams are expected to participate in one of the most celebrated knockout tournaments in India.
The AIFF’s 2026-27 calendar comprises the following main competitions:
- Durand Cup: July 11 – August 20, 2026
- Indian Super League (ISL): September 1, 2026 – April 11, 2027
- Federation Cup: April 20 – May 10, 2027
AIFF Official Statement
AIFF Acting Secretary General M. Satyanarayan confirmed that the federation has shared a tentative calendar with stakeholders and is working towards ensuring a smooth season across all competitions.
Satyanarayan told PTI, “We have agreed in principle to the proposal made by the ISL clubs and we have told this to the Sports Minister. The sports ministry also said it’s okay. So, we will make a formal announcement on June 15. We also have to see how it will work legally. So, there is no final agreement as of now. We have to work on some details and iron them out. That will happen in the next three to four days.”
“The kick-off for ISL is finalised; it will begin on September 4. Durand Cup will be between June 25 and July 25,” he added.
“We have agreed in principle to the proposal made by the ISL clubs and we have told this to the Sports Minister. The sports ministry also said it’s okay. So, we will make a formal announcement on June 15.
“We also have to see how it will work legally. So, there is no final agreement as of now. We have to work on some details and iron them out. That will happen in the next three-four days.
“The kick-off for ISL is finalised, it will begin on September 4. Durand Cup will be between June 25 and July 25.”
“We are doing this in the interest of the clubs, because they have also gone under losses. But we are still looking at a long-term model. At the end of two years, we are going to review the situation (club-led model).
“The clubs said at least for two years you (AIFF) allow us to do this model and then you can review it. They can later say, we’ll do it for five years or for 15 years. We will take a call at that point in time. As of now, we (AIFF) have agreed in principle the two-year model part.”
Complete Fixtures
Although the calendar is complete with the dates of the ISL and Durand Cup, the AIFF has yet to release detailed match schedules, timings, venues and broadcast information.
The comprehensive calendar and schedules for the aforementioned competitions are likely to be announced by the AIFF and the respective organizers in the coming weeks.
