When will ISL 2024-25 season commence?: Start date confirmed

ISL 11 will feature one brand-new entrant.

It has been revealed that the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season will kickoff on September 13th. The new season will feature I-League 2023-24 winners, Mohammedan SC as 13 sides will compete in the league.

The ISL will not have relegation as AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey had previously said that it is not possible, given the astronomical gap between the ISL and the immediate lower league (I-League).

With the revised format being introduced in the 2020-21 season, no team apart from Mumbai City FC in the inaugural campaign, has won both the League Winners’ Shield and the ISL title in the same term. In ISL 2021-22, Jamshedpur FC and Hyderabad FC won their maiden trophies, clinching the League Winners’ Shield and the title respectively. 

The next season, Mumbai City FC reclaimed the League Winners’ Shield, while newly-rebranded ATK Mohun Bagan got their first ISL title. Last season, they were once again renamed to Mohun Bagan Super Giant and won the League Winners’ Shield, as Mumbai City won the ISL title.

However, it will be interesting to see the three teams from Kolkata contesting local rivalries on the biggest stage of Indian football. Mohammedan’s Andrey Chernyshov will have to tweak the Black Panthers to compete against tough teams and earn a respectable finish like former I-League champions Punjab FC last season.

East Bengal will also be revitalized under Carles Cuadrat, who got them their first silverware in 15 years by leading them to the Kalinga Super Cup earlier this year. Kerala Blasters, FC Goa and Mumbai have all brought in significant reinforcements, with the former two desperate to get back to winning trophies. 

The Tuskers are still in search of their maiden trophy despite going tantalizingly close multiple times, while the Gaurs want their former glory back. Odisha FC will also be a rising power to look out for, as the Juggernauts have begun to resemble Sergio Lobera’s former title-winning sides. 

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.