ISL 2026-27: East Bengal fixtures for Phase 1

East Bengal to begin their campaign on October 18, 2026.

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2026–27 schedule has been finally revealed by the All-India Football Federation (AIFF). on Saturday, September 26, 2026, up to gameweek 14. The fixtures for Phase 2 and the Playoffs will be released at a later date. The new ISL season will kick off with two double headers on Saturday, October 10, 2026.

Defending champions East Bengal FC will get their campaign underway from gameweek 2 with an away fixture against Churchill Brothers on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at Fatorda Stadium, Goa at 5 PM.

Despite being the defending champions, East Bengal FC will not feature in the season opener. The Red and Gold Brigade will begin their campaign in gameweek 2 with an away fixture, as they are scheduled to host Al-Shorta SC at the Salt Lake Stadium in the AFC Champions League Two 2026-27 home group-stage fixture on October 13, 2026.

This season, the Indian Super League returns to its original format, with the 13 participating teams set to play home and away matches against their rivals, resulting in 24 matches for each team in the league stage.

The season is expected to mark a new start for the league as it now begins a new phase under a club-led model, the streaming partner for the upcoming season is yet to be confirmed but is expected to be finalised very soon.

In this article, we will take a look at the fixture list of East Bengal FC for 2026-27 Indian Super League (ISL) season upto gameweek 14.

How does East Bengal’s fixtures for first months of 2026-27 ISL look like?

The ISL 2026–27 season will be contested in the traditional two-legged home-and-away format, with each team playing a total of 24 group-stage matches. This structure promises a tightly packed and competitive campaign, where every fixture could prove decisive.

For East Bengal FC, the road ahead presents a demanding test, with the Torchbearers scheduled to play 6 matches at home and 6 on the road until gameweek 14. Such a balance places a premium on squad depth, tactical flexibility, and mental resilience, as the team navigates varied playing conditions and hostile away atmospheres across the country.

Despite being the defending champions, the Red and Gold Brigade will kick off their campaign with three consecutive away fixtures due to their AFC commitments.

The heavy run of away games will challenge the Torchbearers to maintain consistency and intensity, particularly during congested periods of the schedule alongside their AFC duties. However, Habas and his Red and Gold Brigade will be keen to make maximum use of their matches on home turf, where fan support and familiarity can often provide an extra edge.

East Bengal FC’s group-stage campaign will kick off with an away fixture against Churchill Brothers on October 18, 2026. The opening match offers an early opportunity to build momentum and set the tone for the weeks ahead, as the Torchbearers look to assert themselves from the very start.

A strong beginning could prove vital in a format where there is little room for error and every point carries significant weight.

From there, the journey stretches across multiple cities and venues, testing the squad’s adaptability and resolve. East Bengal FC will play their first home match against SC Delhi on Friday, November 20, 2026, at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata at 5:00 PM.

East Bengal FC and their arch-rivals Mohun Bagan SG will face off in the most anticipated Kolkata Derby on Sunday, November 29, 2026, at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata at 7:30 PM, which is a home game for the Torchbearers.

As East Bengal FC progress through the campaign, consistency, discipline and timely performances in crucial moments will be central to shaping their fortunes in the ISL 2026-27 season. Under new head coach Antonio Lopez Habas, the Red and Gold Brigade will look to put together a strong title defence and retain their crown.

The home match against the Highlanders on December 21, 2026, will also be the final ISL match for East Bengal in 2026 that will take place before the league goes on a long winter break, allowing some rest for the players.

East Bengal’s final match in the first phase of the 2026-27 ISL campaign will be an away match against Kerala Blasters on 16 January (2027), also marking their last away match of the first phase.

With that being said, here is the complete East Bengal’s fixture list for the first phase of the 2026-27 ISL campaign.

Phase 1 fixtures of East Bengal FC

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