The 11th edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) will begin on September 14, 2024. The top-tier Indian football league will run until April 30, 2025, according to the calendar released by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). However, the domestic season will kick off on July 26 with Durand Cup 2024.
What will be the ISL 2024 format?
The 11th edition will feature 13 teams, playing each other in the usual home-away format. At the end of the league stage, the top two teams will directly qualify for the ISL Cup semifinals, while the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth teams will play a single-leg eliminator to book the remaining two semifinal spots.
The semifinals will be a two-legged affair as the teams vie for a spot in the ISL Final. Mumbai City FC are the defending champions while Mohun Bagan Super Giant are the holders of the Indian Super League Shield.
ISL 2024 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)
Which team was promoted to ISL 2024? Which team was relegated?
After Punjab FC became the first team to be promoted to the Indian Super League, yet another I-League giant has made its way to the top-tier league in Indian football. Mohammedan SC won I-League 2023-24 to become the newest team to be added to the ISL 2024 roster. While relegation has already started in the I-League as per the AFC Road Map, it is yet to begin in the Indian Super League.
Clubs kick off preparations ahead of ISL 11
Indian Super League clubs have already begun their pre-season training sessions ahead of the ISL 2024. Six clubs — Jamshedpur FC, NorthEast United Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, East Bengal FC, and Kerala Blasters FC — have kicked off their preparations with the Durand Cup 2024 ahead.
Kerala Blasters have flown to Thailand and have been training for almost two weeks now, starting on July 3. East Bengal have already played a couple of friendly games in their preparations, while ISL Shield Winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant will start their pre-season campaign on July 29.