ISL 2023 : As the Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 season reaches its climax stage, fans eagerly wait for the playoffs to commence. The playoffs feature the top six teams from the league phase, and the playoff format has been revamped for the current season.
The Indian Super League (ISL) is India’s premier football league, featuring some of the best domestic and international talent in the country. The league has grown in popularity and stature over the years, and the playoffs are an exciting part of the season, where the top teams compete for a chance to lift the coveted trophy.
Let’s have a look at the playoff format in detail and the teams that will play against each other in which venue.
ISL Playoff Format
The ISL 2022-23 playoffs comprise two one-legged Eliminators, two-legged Semifinals, and the Final. The top two teams on the points table at the end of the league phase qualify directly for the Semifinals. The teams finishing in third, fourth, fifth, and sixth will battle it out in the Eliminators to book a spot in the last four.
- Eliminator 1: The third-placed team will host the sixth-placed team.
- Eliminator 2: The fourth-placed team will host the fifth-placed team.
The winner of Eliminator 1 will meet the team that finished second in the table in Semifinal 1, while the winner of Eliminator 2 will clash against the table-toppers in Semifinal 2. The semifinals will be contested over two legs, with each team getting a chance to play one of their matches at home. The winner from the two-legged semifinals will meet in the final.
ISL 2023 Playoff Teams and Venues
The playoffs for ISL 2023 will be held in March, and the qualified teams for the Eliminators and Semifinals are:
- Mumbai City FC (Q)
- Hyderabad FC (Q)
- ATK Mohun Bagan (Q)
- Bengaluru FC (Q)
- Kerala Blasters (Q)
- Odisha FC (Q)
The first Eliminator will be played between Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters, with the winner facing ATK Mohun Bagan in the second Eliminator.
- Eliminator 1: Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters Venue: Bengaluru
- Eliminator 2: ATK Mohun Bagan vs Winner of Eliminator 1 Venue: Kolkata
The first legs of the semifinals will be played on March 7 and 9, with the second legs on March 12 and 13.
- Semifinal 1: Mumbai City FC vs Winner of Eliminator 2 Venue:Mumbai
- Semifinal 2: Hyderabad FC vs Winner of Eliminator 1 Venue: Hyderabad
The winner from the two-legged semifinals will meet in the final.
Final: Winner of Semifinal 1 vs Winner of Semifinal 2 Venue: Goa
ISL 2023 Playoff Schedule
Here is a look at the ISL 2022-23 playoff fixtures, dates, kick-off times :
| Date | Day | Round | Fixture | Venue | Kick Off Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 3 | Friday | Eliminator 1 | Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| March 4 | Saturday | Eliminator 2 | ATK Mohun Bagan vs Odisha FC | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| March 7 | Tuesday | Semifinal 1 (1st Leg) | Mumbai City FC vs Winner – Eliminator 1 | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| March 9 | Thursday | Semi-Final 2 (1st Leg) | Hyderabad FC vs Winner – Eliminator 2 | Hyderabad | 7:30 PM |
| March 12 | Sunday | Semifinal 1 (2nd Leg) | Winner – Eliminator 1 vs Mumbai City FC | TBC | 7:30 PM |
| March 13 | Monday | Semifinal 2 (2nd Leg) | Winner – Eliminator 2 vs Hyderabad FC | TBC | 7:30 PM |
| March 18 | Saturday | Final | Semifinal 1 Winner vs Semifinal 2 Winner | Goa | 7:30 PM |
The playoff schedule is subject to change, and the venues for the matches are yet to be confirmed. Fans can expect the playoffs to be played in a bio-secure bubble, given the current pandemic situation.
The ISL 2022-23 playoffs promise to be an exciting affair, with some of the best teams in the league battling it out for a spot in the final. With a revamped format and some nail-biting fixtures lined up, fans are in for a treat. So mark your calendars and get ready to witness some high-octane football action in the coming weeks!
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