Indian Super League announce change in playoffs format for upcoming 2022-23 season

The upcoming edition of the league will kick off on October 7.

The Indian Super League (ISL) on Thursday announced its fixtures for the upcoming 2022-23 season. ISL 2022-23 is set to kick-off on October 7 with Kerala Blasters and East Bengal facing each other in the season opener at Kochi. Kerala Blasters finished as the runners-up last season, while East Bengal ended with the wooden spoon.

Change in Playoff format

The league organisers Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) have also announced a new playoffs format for the upcoming season. While traditionally, the top four teams at the end of the league stage qualify for the playoffs, this season will see a massive change.

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The top two teams at the end of the league phase will directly advance to the semi-finals. Teams between third and sixth will then face each other in a single-leg playoff to determine the other two semi-finalists. The third-ranked team will clash against the sixth-placed side, while the fourth team will face the fifth-placed team.

The change means that teams finishing fifth and sixth will also now be contending in the playoffs and will have a chance to win the ISL title. Hyderabad FC are the defending champions. They beat Kerala Blasters via a penalty shootout to clinch the crown.

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Meanwhile, Jamshedpur FC are the league winners having topped the league phase with record points last season. They hold the League Winners' Shield, a first in the club's history.

As confirmed by Khel Now before, ISL 2022-23 will also see the introduction of specific matchdays. Matches will now only be played between Thursday and Sunday, with weekends having double headers. This season will also see the return of fans back into the stadiums.

This season also marks the return of the Super Cup after a three-year hiatus. The Super Cup will take place in April after the conclusion of the ISL 2022-23 season.

New ISL Playoff Format:

Eliminator 1: 3rd placed team vs 6th placed team

Eliminator 2: 4th placed team vs 5th placed team

Semi-Final 1 1st Leg: 1st placed team vs (Winner – Eliminator 2)

Semi-Final 2 1st Leg: 2nd placed team vs (Winner – Eliminator 1)

Semi-Final 1 2nd Leg: (Winner – Eliminator 2) vs 1st placed team

Semi-Final 2 2nd Leg: (Winner – Eliminator 1) vs 2nd placed team

Final: (Winner Semi-Final 1) vs (Winner Semi-Final 2)

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