The Indian Super League's new era began with high drama on Saturday as Bengaluru FC came from behind to beat Sporting Club Delhi 3-2 in the 2026-27 season opener, while FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw on opening night.
At the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Menno Koch scored an 89th-minute winner to complete the hosts' comeback after they had trailed 2-1 at half-time. The result gave Bengaluru the perfect start in front of their home supporters in the first match of the league's new club-led era.
New beginnings on and off the pitch
The season marks a fresh chapter for Indian football. After months of uncertainty and a curtailed previous campaign, clubs have taken over the league's commercial rights, secured MG Motor as title sponsor — the first since Hero ended its association after the 2022-23 season — and struck new broadcast arrangements. Matches will stream free on YouTube, which garnered millions of views on opening day, while Sony handles linear television.
In the second fixture at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Chennaiyin took the lead through Irfan Yadwad before Chiki's second-half header secured a point for Goa.
What comes next
The full home-and-away round-robin format has returned after the crisis-hit 2025-26 season, with the table-toppers winning the ISL Shield and a playoff stage deciding the ISL Cup winners. "There were days these past few months when I genuinely wasn't sure we'd get here," said FC Goa CEO Ravi Puskur, who sits on the ISL managing committee, adding that "some of what goes live today will need calibration as the season unfolds."
Sources:
ISL 2026-27: League off to a flying start as BFC's win, Goa-Chennaiyin draw watched by millions — News18
ISL 2026-27: A new season, a new chapter for Indian football — Revsportz
ISL 2026-27: Bengaluru FC host Sporting Club Delhi as FC Goa take on Chennaiyin FC on opening day — The Tribune
At the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Menno Koch scored an 89th-minute winner to complete the hosts' comeback after they had trailed 2-1 at half-time. The result gave Bengaluru the perfect start in front of their home supporters in the first match of the league's new club-led era.
New beginnings on and off the pitch
The season marks a fresh chapter for Indian football. After months of uncertainty and a curtailed previous campaign, clubs have taken over the league's commercial rights, secured MG Motor as title sponsor — the first since Hero ended its association after the 2022-23 season — and struck new broadcast arrangements. Matches will stream free on YouTube, which garnered millions of views on opening day, while Sony handles linear television.
In the second fixture at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Chennaiyin took the lead through Irfan Yadwad before Chiki's second-half header secured a point for Goa.
What comes next
The full home-and-away round-robin format has returned after the crisis-hit 2025-26 season, with the table-toppers winning the ISL Shield and a playoff stage deciding the ISL Cup winners. "There were days these past few months when I genuinely wasn't sure we'd get here," said FC Goa CEO Ravi Puskur, who sits on the ISL managing committee, adding that "some of what goes live today will need calibration as the season unfolds."
Sources:
ISL 2026-27: League off to a flying start as BFC's win, Goa-Chennaiyin draw watched by millions — News18
ISL 2026-27: A new season, a new chapter for Indian football — Revsportz
ISL 2026-27: Bengaluru FC host Sporting Club Delhi as FC Goa take on Chennaiyin FC on opening day — The Tribune
