When are the Indian Super League 2022-23 Playoffs?

Six teams will be fighting in the knockouts to get their hands on the coveted trophy.

The Indian Super League (ISL) league stages have come to an end. Mumbai City FC have already won the league championship in lavish fashion – with Hyderabad FC and ATK Mohun Bagan comprising of the top-3. Now we move onto the ‘business end' of the season, which involves a knockout-based competition.

The ISL playoffs are set to begin from early March and the teams are already finalized. Joining the aforementioned teams will be Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters, and Odisha FC. The Blues had a remarkable second half of the season, having won their last eight consecutive games to guarantee a playoff place.

Before the Indian Super League playoffs, however, there will be two knockout games. With the new rules, the ISL teams that finished from third to sixth will take part in eliminator ties – where the winners go on to the playoffs. The organizers have already revealed the schedule of these knockout and playoffs game before the final on March 18.

When are the Knockout ties?

The first Indian Super League knockout game will be between Southern rivals Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters on 3rd March. This tie will be held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. The reason behind this is that the Blues were able to finish higher than Kerala Blasters. The Blues boast a better head-to-head record across the two league games. This should be a thrilling contest between two bitter rivals who are both gunning for the ISL title.

ATK Mohun Bagan will host Odisha FC in the second knockout game on 4th March. With the Mariners securing a top-3 finish, they’ll get home advantage in this one. The match will be held at the Salt Lake Stadium – where ATKMB won 7 out of their 10 games in the league stages. With the Mariners aiming to salvage a difficult season by lifting the ISL trophy, they’ll head into this game with an all-guns-blazing attitude.

When will the playoff double-legged games be held?

Soon after the two knockout games are done, the winners of respective fixtures will move on to the Indian Super League playoffs. The winners of the Bengaluru FC-Kerala Blasters game will face the league winners Mumbai City FC. As a result, either ATKMB or Odisha will face Hyderabad FC in the other playoff tie.

The first playoff, involving Mumbai City FC and the winners of the first knockout tie, will begin on 7 March. This will be at the Mumbai Football Arena. The second leg at the home ground of either Kerala Blasters or Bengaluru FC on 12 March.

Moreover, the second playoff game will see its first leg played at the Gacchibowli Stadium on 9 March. The reverse leg will be at the Salt Lake Stadum or Kalinga Stadium (depending on which team prevails) on 13 March.

The winners of the two playoffs will then move on to the ISL finals on March 18. This will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa – which has been the host for the last three ISL finals.