The Indian Super League 2022-23 season will be starting in a few weeks from 7th October. The schedule has now been finalized and officially released. Currently, the Durand Cup is going on which kickstarted the Indian football calendar for the 2022-23 season. After the Durand Cup finishes, the ISL will be starting in October and will continue till March 2023. It will be followed by the Super Cup in April 2023.
It has almost become a regular norm to see Kerela Blasters face ATK Mohun Bagan in the opening match of the Indian Super League. The Kerala Blasters vs ATKMB has been the inaugural match for the last few ISL seasons. However, things have changed this season as Kerala Blasters will face East Bengal in the opening match.
After 2 seasons of football behind closed doors and bio bubbles, ISL 2022-23 season will be back to normal. The fans will be allowed in the stadium to support their favourite teams. All the matches will be played on the weekends between Thursday and Sunday.
A new playoff format has also been introduced this season. The top two teams at the end of the league stage will automatically qualify for the semi-finals. However, teams finishing between 3rd and 6th will feature in a single-leg playoff to advance to the semi-finals. The semi-finals will be a two-legged affair.
New ISL 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)
Key dates of the ISL 2022-23 season:
Opening Match: October 7th, 2022
Last League Stage Matchweek: February 23rd – 26th, 2023
Playoffs, Semifinals and Final: March 2023
