GUWAHATI: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season will kick off with a blockbuster clash between defending League winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Cup winners Mumbai City FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on September 13 in a repeat of last season’s final.
The ISL on Sunday announced the fixtures of the first 84 matches of the season, till the end of this year.
This season will see 13 teams, with the addition of Mohammedan Sporting Club, who earned promotion after finishing at the summit of the I-League.
The new entrant will kick-start their campaign against NorthEast United FC at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan — their home turf in Kolkata — on September 16.
With the entry of Mohammedan Sporting (MSC), the ISL will see the three most storied football clubs from Kolkata, including Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) and East Bengal, vying for the silverware.
The first two Kolkata derbies of the season are scheduled in October with Mohun Bagan SG playing MSC on Oct 5 and then East Bengal FC clashing with MBSG just after the Durga Puja on Oct 19.
East Bengal will play MSC on Nov 9 and all the games will be held at the Salt Lake Stadium.
The opening weekend will also see Chennaiyin FC travel to Odisha FC, and Bengaluru FC take on East Bengal FC in the first double-header of the season on September 14, while Kerala Blasters FC will host Punjab FC the next day at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi.
Hyderabad FC will play their first game with Bengaluru FC on September 19.
However, the match fixtures of Hyderabad FC are contingent on them clearing the AIFF Club Licensing.
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Mohun Bagan Super Giant won the coveted ISL League Shield, the trophy of supremacy in the 2023-24 season, by garnering 48 points after a gruelling season.
But Mumbai City, who finished second at the end of the league phase, beat Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the ISL final after a knock-out round.
