Goa to host Super Cup, 12 ISL teams confirm participation with schedule decided

The winner of the Premier Cup competition will retain the ACL 2 playoff berth.

Indian football finally has forward movement. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has locked in Goa as host for the Super Cup 2025–26, with the group stage pencilled from 25 October to 6 November 2025. That window gives India head coach Khalid Jamil at least a week to prepare before the away leg against Bangladesh on 18 November in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.

A source tracking the developments told us: “Twelve ISL clubs and two I-League teams (Inter Kashi & Real Kashmir), barring Odisha FC and Churchill Brothers, have confirmed their participation for the Super Cup. Group games will finish by 6 November so the national team can get a clear prep week before the Bangladesh match.”

Super Cup 2025-26 matches will be split between Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda and the GMC Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, with Tilak Maidan on standby as a backup venue. Kick-offs are 5:00 pm at Bambolim and 7:30 pm IST at Fatorda.

Three I-League teams are in communication with AIFF to replace Odisha FC and Churchill Brothers if required.

Also Read: ISL clubs hesitant to commit to Super Cup amid financial uncertainty

Format, slots and the ACL 2 incentive

AIFF has informed clubs that the Super Cup winner retains the AFC Champions League 2 playoff spot, easing concerns raised by East Bengal. The working format envisages four groups with group winners advancing to the semi-finals. Semi-finals will be played after Bangladesh-India fixture.

Team A3 will take on Team A4 in the first match of the tournament in the GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on 25 October, whereas Team A1 will play Team A2 later in the day at JLN Fatorda. 

Host support: what AIFF asked from GFA?

In a letter dated 12 September 2025, AIFF requested the Goa Football Association to coordinate with the state to provide, rent-free for the tournament period:

1. Fatorda and Bambolim match venues
2. Four training grounds for participating teams
3. Floodlight support at both stadiums for evening games
4. Full medical cover, including ambulances and functional medical rooms

Super Cup draw

Group A: Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Chennaiyin FC, East Bengal FC, Real Kashmir

Group B: FC Goa, Jamshedpur FC, NorthEast United FC, Inter Kashi

Group C: Bengaluru FC, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Punjab FC, Gokulam Kerala FC

Group D: Mumbai City FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Hyderabad FC, Rajasthan United FC

Super Cup 2025–26 (Tentative Group Stage Schedule)

Ground A: JLN Stadium, Fatorda, Margao

Ground B: GMC Athletic Stadium, Bambolim

Sat, 25 Oct

5:00 pm – East Bengal FC vs Real Kashmir FC(Ground B)

7:30 pm – Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Chennaiyin FC (Ground A)

Sun, 26 Oct

5:00 pm – NorthEast United FC vs Inter Kashi (Ground B)

7:30 pm – FC Goa vs Jamshedpur FC (Ground A)

Mon, 27 Oct

5:00 pm – Hyderabad FC vs Mumbai City FC (Ground A)

7:30 pm – Punjab FC vs Gokulam Kerala FC (Ground B)

Tue, 28 Oct

5:00 pm – Chennaiyin FC vs East Bengal FC (Ground B)

7:30 pm – Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Real Kashmir FC (Ground A)

Wed, 29 Oct

5:00 pm – Jamshedpur FC vs NorthEast United FC (Ground B)

7:30 pm – FC Goa vs Inter Kashi (Ground A)

Thu, 30 Oct

5:00 pm – Bengaluru FC vs Mohammedan SC (Ground A)

7:30 pm – Rajasthan United FC vs Kerala Blasters FC (Ground B)

Fri, 31 Oct

5:00 pm – Real Kashmir FC vs Chennaiyin FC (Ground B)

7:30 pm – Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs East Bengal FC (Ground A)

Sat, 1 Nov

5:00 pm – Inter Kashi vs Jamshedpur FC (Ground B)

7:30 pm – FC Goa vs NorthEast United FC (Ground A)

Sun, 2 Nov

5:00 pm – Mohammedan SC vs Punjab FC (Ground B)

7:30 pm – Gokulam Kerala FC vs Bengaluru FC (Ground A)

Mon, 3 Nov

5:00 pm – Rajasthan United FC vs Mumbai City FC (Ground A)

7:30 pm – Kerala Blasters FC vs Hyderabad FC (Ground B)

Wed, 5 Nov

5:00 pm – Bengaluru FC vs Punjab FC (Ground A)

7:30 pm – Gokulam Kerala FC vs Mohammedan SC (Ground B)

Thu, 6 Nov

5:00 pm – Rajasthan United FC vs Hyderabad FC (Ground B)

7:30 pm – Mumbai City FC vs Kerala Blasters FC (Ground A)

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