With the Indian Super League set for a September kick-off, the Durand Cup returning in July, and the Super Cup shifted to April, Indian football is gearing up for a season of strategic scheduling and competitive clarity.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially unveiled the 2025–26 men’s football season calendar, bringing clarity to club competitions and continental qualifiers. The key highlight is the confirmation of the Indian Super League (ISL) season dates, beginning on 14 September 2025 and running through mid-April 2026. The playoffs will follow immediately, culminating in early May.
While last season saw some overlap between competitions, the AIFF has now streamlined the calendar. The Super Cup—rebranded last year as the Kalinga Super Cup—will be held only after the ISL concludes. This major knockout competition, featuring top teams from both the ISL and I-League, is now scheduled for April-May 2026. The decision to delay the Super Cup was made to reduce congestion and allow clubs to prepare better.
Another major highlight is the return of the Durand Cup, which will once again open the season. Slated to begin on 22 July and conclude on 24 August 2025, the 134th edition of Asia’s oldest football tournament will be hosted across multiple venues, including Kolkata, Imphal, Shillong, Kokrajhar, and Jamshedpur. Northeast United FC will enter the competition as defending champions, and all ISL clubs are expected to participate.
The AIFF calendar also confirms that the winner of the upcoming Super Cup will qualify for the AFC Champions League Two preliminary round, maintaining the tournament’s importance in the larger Asian football context.
This clarified and carefully sequenced calendar is expected to benefit clubs in terms of preparation, player workload, and travel logistics. With the ISL not overlapping with other tournaments and AFC competition slots clearly defined, Indian clubs will have a more structured path through the season.
From the grassroots fields of the Durand Cup to the high-stakes Super Cup finale, the 2025–26 season promises to be one of the most organized and competitive in Indian football history.
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