In a significant shift from tradition, the Super Cup is set to open the Indian football season, with the tournament tentatively scheduled to begin on October 25 in Goa. An official from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed the plan on Tuesday, marking a strategic overhaul in the national football calendar.
The decision to bring the Super Cup to the start of the season follows a consensus reached between the AIFF and all Indian Super League (ISL) clubs during a recent meeting. Traditionally held as the concluding tournament of the year, the Super Cup will now serve as the curtain-raiser for the 2025–26 campaign.
This change aligns with the roadmap approved by the Supreme Court of India, which greenlit a joint proposal submitted by the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the organisers of the ISL. With the legal and logistical green lights in place, preparations for the revamped football season are now underway.
The tournament is expected to feature 16 teams: 12 from the ISL and four from the I-League. Notably, all ISL clubs have confirmed their participation except for Odisha FC. The four I-League sides likely to feature are Inter Kashi, Real Kashmir, Gokulam Kerala FC, and Rajasthan United.
At stake in the Super Cup is more than just domestic glory. The winning team will earn a play-off spot in the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL 2) for the 2026–27 season. However, the club must hold the Premier 1 License under the Indian Club Licensing Regulations applicable for that season to be eligible.
The continental incentive provides a major boost to the competition. Should the Super Cup winner fail to progress through the ACL 2 play-off, they will still gain entry into the group stage of the AFC Challenge League (ACGL), Asia’s third-tier club competition. This safety net ensures Indian clubs continue to feature on the continental stage even in case of early exits.
Last season, FC Goa capitalised on this pathway, reaching the ACL 2 group stage after winning the 2024–25 Super Cup.
The format of the competition will consist of a group-stage round-robin followed by single-leg knockout matches, culminating in the final in November. The group-stage draw is scheduled to be held virtually on Thursday, September 25.
With new stakes, a reimagined format, and continental rewards, the Super Cup’s repositioning signals a new era in Indian football’s competitive structure.
