The AIFF has announced a major overhaul for the 2026/27 ISL season, reducing the number of participating clubs to 13 and shifting to a double round-robin format.

  • The 2026/27 ISL season will feature 13 clubs instead of 14.
  • Diamond Harbour FC has reportedly been excluded due to missed financial deadlines.
  • The league will transition to a double round-robin format, potentially eliminating the knockout stage.

In a significant development for Indian football, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has confirmed that the upcoming 2026/27 season of the Indian Super League (ISL) will undergo a structural transformation. The league will now consist of 13 participating clubs, a reduction from the 14 clubs that competed in the previous season.

While the AIFF's official statement remained coy about the specific club being omitted, reliable sources indicate that West Bengal's Diamond Harbour FC has been excluded. The club, which had recently secured promotion by winning the Indian Football League (IFL), reportedly failed to meet the AIFF's deadline for the second installment of the participation fee.

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A Shift in Competitive Format

Beyond the reduction in club numbers, the AIFF is introducing a major change to the league's operational structure. The 2026/27 season will follow a double round-robin format played on a home-and-away basis.

This strategic shift suggests a potential departure from the traditional knockout stages used to decide the ISL Cup. Under this new system, the ISL Shield—awarded to the team finishing at the top of the league table—could become the primary measure of supremacy, effectively doing away with the high-stakes playoffs that fans have come to love.

The move to a double round-robin format prioritizes league consistency over the high-octane drama of knockout football.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the exclusion of Diamond Harbour FC carries deeper implications than mere finances. The club's stability is closely linked to the political landscape of West Bengal, with its chief patron being Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. As the state approaches legislative assembly elections, the club's administrative and financial viability remains under a cloud of uncertainty.

Diamond Harbour's rise was nothing short of meteoric. From defeating giants like East Bengal in the Durand Cup semifinals to clinching the IFL title, they proved to be a formidable force. Their sudden absence from the top flight marks a somber moment for rising footballing talents in the region.

Did You Know?: Diamond Harbour FC gained massive popularity last season by defeating East Bengal 2-1 in a thrilling Durand Cup semifinal.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is Diamond Harbour FC not playing in the 2026/27 ISL?
The club failed to pay the second installment of the mandatory participation fee by the AIFF's deadline.

2. How will the new ISL format work?
The league will use a double round-robin system where every team plays each other twice (home and away) without a traditional knockout stage.