Goa to host Super Cup, 12 ISL teams confirm participation with schedule decided

The winner of the Premier Cup competition will retain the ACL 2 playoff berth.

Indian football finally has forward movement. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has locked in Goa as host for the Super Cup 2025–26, with the group stage pencilled from 25 October to 6 November 2025. That window gives India head coach Khalid Jamil at least a week to prepare before the away leg against Bangladesh on 18 November in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.

A source tracking the developments told us: “Twelve ISL clubs and two I-League teams (Inter Kashi & Real Kashmir), barring Odisha FC and Churchill Brothers, have confirmed their participation for the Super Cup. Group games will finish by 6 November so the national team can get a clear prep week before the Bangladesh match.”

Super Cup 2025-26 matches will be split between Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda and the GMC Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, with Tilak Maidan on standby as a backup venue. Kick-offs are 5:00 pm at Bambolim and 7:30 pm IST at Fatorda.

Three I-League teams are in communication with AIFF to replace Odisha FC and Churchill Brothers if required.

Also Read: ISL clubs hesitant to commit to Super Cup amid financial uncertainty

Format, slots and the ACL 2 incentive

AIFF has informed clubs that the Super Cup winner retains the AFC Champions League 2 playoff spot, easing concerns raised by East Bengal. The working format envisages four groups with group winners advancing to the semi-finals. Semi-finals will be played after Bangladesh-India fixture.

Team A3 will take on Team A4 in the first match of the tournament in the GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on 25 October, whereas Team A1 will play Team A2 later in the day at JLN Fatorda.

Host support: what AIFF asked from GFA?

In a letter dated 12 September 2025, AIFF requested the Goa Football Association to coordinate with the state to provide, rent-free for the tournament period:

Fatorda and Bambolim match venues

Four training grounds for participating teams

Floodlight support at both stadiums for evening games

Full medical cover, including ambulances and functional medical rooms

Super Cup 2025–26 (Tentative Group Stage Schedule)

Ground A: JLN Stadium, Fatorda, Margao

Ground B: GMC Athletic Stadium, Bambolim

Sat, 25 Oct

5:00 pm – A3 vs A4 (Ground B)

7:30 pm – A1 vs A2 (Ground A)

Sun, 26 Oct

5:00 pm – B3 vs B4 (Ground B)

7:30 pm – B1 vs B2 (Ground A)

Mon, 27 Oct

5:00 pm – D3 vs D1 (Ground A)

7:30 pm – C3 vs C4 (Ground B)

Tue, 28 Oct

5:00 pm – A2 vs A3 (Ground B)

7:30 pm – A1 vs A4 (Ground A)

Wed, 29 Oct

5:00 pm – B2 vs B3 (Ground B)

7:30 pm – B1 vs B4 (Ground A)

Thu, 30 Oct

5:00 pm – C1 vs C2 (Ground A)

7:30 pm – D4 vs D2 (Ground B)

Fri, 31 Oct

5:00 pm – A4 vs A2 (Ground B)

7:30 pm – A1 vs A3 (Ground A)

Sat, 1 Nov

5:00 pm – B4 vs B2 (Ground B)

7:30 pm – B1 vs B3 (Ground A)

Sun, 2 Nov

5:00 pm – C2 vs C3 (Ground B)

7:30 pm – C4 vs C1 (Ground A)

Mon, 3 Nov

5:00 pm – D4 vs D1 (Ground A)

7:30 pm – D2 vs D3 (Ground B)

Wed, 5 Nov

5:00 pm – C1 vs C3 (Ground A)

7:30 pm – C4 vs C2 (Ground B)

Thu, 6 Nov

5:00 pm – D4 vs D3 (Ground B)

7:30 pm – D1 vs D2 (Ground A)

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