East Bengal FC will play all its home matches of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan, better known as the Salt Lake Stadium, the club confirmed on Tuesday. The decision marks a return to its traditional base after initially opting for the smaller Kishore Bharati Krirangan to cut costs.
The upcoming ISL campaign will be a shortened affair, running from February 14 to May 17. Each team will face every other side once, resulting in 91 matches overall. League authorities had advised clubs to keep operations cost-effective, prompting East Bengal to consider moving away from Salt Lake for financial reasons.
A source familiar with the situation explained that each matchday at Salt Lake Stadium costs approximately Rs. 25 lakh, covering security, lighting, logistics, and other operational expenses. “Every matchday at the Salt Lake Stadium costs an estimated Rs. 25 lakh, including security, lights, logistics and other operational commitments. So, financially, the shift (of East Bengal) made a lot of sense,” the source said.
Initially, East Bengal had planned to stage eight home matches at Kishore Bharati Krirangan, with only the Kolkata derby — an away fixture — scheduled at Salt Lake. However, the plan triggered strong opposition from sections of its fan base, leading the club to seek a solution.
Senior club official Debabrata Sarkar revealed that the breakthrough came with support from the state government. “We sought the help of Honourable Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to rescue us from this danger, and she helped us out. We will now be able to play our home matches at the Salt Lake Stadium without any expenditure,” Sarkar said.
He added, “This is great news for football fans who wanted to watch our matches at the VYBK. We would request them to come in large numbers and motivate the team.”
East Bengal has faced similar venue challenges before. Six years ago, during its I-League campaign, it shifted temporarily to Kalyani Stadium due to regulatory issues before returning to Salt Lake under revised rental terms.
The Red-and-Gold Brigade will begin its home campaign against NorthEast United FC on February 16. The ISL season itself kicks off on February 14, with Mohun Bagan Super Giant hosting Kerala Blasters FC at Salt Lake Stadium.
Meanwhile, Mohammedan Sporting Club will continue to use Kishore Bharati Krirangan as its home ground for the 2025-26 season.
