The 2024–25 Indian Super League season is all set to roll out with a marquee clash between the Shield winners, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, and Cup winners Mumbai City FC. Now rescheduled on September 13, this match will be held at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, repeating what happened in last year's final.
ISL announced the fixtures for the first 84 matches of the season till the end of this year on Sunday.
The opening weekend will see Chennaiyin FC travel to Odisha FC while Bengaluru FC face East Bengal FC in the first double header of the season on September 14. The next day, Kerala Blasters FC will be at home in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi against Punjab FC.
Hyderabad FC will start their campaign with an away game against Bengaluru FC on September 19. However, Hyderabad FC's scheduling is now waiting in the wings subject to the completion of the formalities of AIFF Club Licensing.
The ISL will feature 13 teams this season, with the induction of I-League champions Mohammedan Sporting Club. The newcomers will start their campaign against NorthEast United FC on September 16 at Kishore Bharati Krirangan, their home ground in Kolkata.
Beginning this season, with the induction of Mohammedan Sporting into the league, ISL will feature three of Kolkata's most storied football clubs in Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal, and Mohammedan Sporting Club duking it out for the title.
With these three giants in place, it promises to be six intense Kolkata derbies throughout the season. On October 5, Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs. Mohammedan FC and October 19, East Bengal FC vs. Mohun Bagan Super Giant are the first two derbies that have been confirmed.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant clinched the ISL League Shield in the 2023-24 season and finished first with 48 points after a grueling campaign. Finishing second in the league phase, Mumbai City FC went on to win the final of the ISL against Mohun Bagan Super Giant—a knockout round feat that rarely has happened across football leagues worldwide.
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