The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season is set to kick off with a thrilling clash between Shield winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Cup winners Mumbai City FC on September 13 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. This blockbuster encounter will be a rematch of last season’s final.
The ISL has announced the fixtures for the first 84 matches of the season, which will run until the end of the year. The opening weekend will also feature Chennaiyin FC traveling to Odisha FC, while Bengaluru FC will take on East Bengal FC in the first double-header of the season on September 14. Kerala Blasters FC will host Punjab FC the following day at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.
Hyderabad FC will begin their campaign with an away fixture at Bengaluru FC on September 19, subject to their clearance of the AIFF Club Licensing. This season of the ISL will witness the addition of I-League champions Mohammedan Sporting Club, who will kick-start their campaign against NorthEast United FC at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on September 16.
With the entry of Mohammedan Sporting, the ISL will now feature the three most storied football clubs from Kolkata: Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC, and Mohammedan Sporting Club. This will result in six high-intensity Kolkata derbies throughout the season. The first two Kolkata derbies are scheduled for October: Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Mohammedan FC on October 5 and East Bengal FC vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant on October 19.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant won the ISL League Shield in the 2023-24 season, while Mumbai City FC emerged victorious in the ISL final after a knockout round. The upcoming season promises to be equally exciting, with 13 teams competing for the coveted trophy.
