East Bengal FC ISL 2026-27 is a title defence. The 2025-26 champions miss Game Week 1 because of AFC commitments and begin their campaign against Churchill Brothers at the Fatorda Stadium on Sunday, 18 October 2026, at 5:00 PM IST. The big date for every fan is the Kolkata Derby against Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Sunday, 29 November, at 7:30 PM at the Salt Lake Stadium. On this page you’ll find the complete East Bengal FC schedule for 2026-27 with dates, kick-off times and venues, the foreign signings, coach, ticket details and everything a Red and Gold fan needs for Season 13.
East Bengal FC 2026-27: Quick Facts
| Club | East Bengal FC (Red and Gold Brigade) |
|---|---|
| League | Indian Super League 2026-27 (Season 13) |
| First match | Churchill Brothers vs East Bengal FC – Sun, 18 Oct 2026, 5:00 PM IST |
| First home match | East Bengal FC vs Sporting Club Delhi – Fri, 20 Nov 2026, 5:00 PM IST |
| Phase 1 matches | 12 (6 home, 6 away) |
| Total league matches | 24 (12 home, 12 away) |
| Head coach | Antonio López Habas (Spain) |
| Captain | – |
| Home stadium | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium), Kolkata (capacity around 68,000) |
| Owner | Emami Group (76% stake since 2020) |
| Founded | 1 August 1920 |
| 2025-26 finish | 1st – ISL champions (26 pts; 7W 5D 1L) |
“–” means the detail has not been officially confirmed yet.
East Bengal FC Schedule 2026-27 (Phase 1 Fixtures)
The official ISL 2026-27 Phase 1 fixtures were announced on 26 September 2026. East Bengal play 12 matches in Phase 1, between 18 October 2026 and 16 January 2027 – 6 at home and 6 away. East Bengal start later than everyone else because of their AFC commitments, then play three away games before their first home match on 20 November. All kick-off times are in Indian Standard Time (IST).
| Date | Time (IST) | Match | Venue | H/A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, 18 Oct 2026 | 5:00 PM | Churchill Brothers vs East Bengal FC | Fatorda Stadium, Goa | Away |
| Fri, 23 Oct 2026 | 5:00 PM | Inter Kashi vs East Bengal FC | To be confirmed | Away |
| Sat, 07 Nov 2026 | 7:30 PM | Chennaiyin FC vs East Bengal FC | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai | Away |
| Fri, 20 Nov 2026 | 5:00 PM | East Bengal FC vs Sporting Club Delhi | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata | Home |
| Sun, 29 Nov 2026 | 7:30 PM | East Bengal FC vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata | Home |
| Fri, 04 Dec 2026 | 7:30 PM | East Bengal FC vs Punjab FC | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata | Home |
| Sun, 13 Dec 2026 | 5:00 PM | Mumbai City FC vs East Bengal FC | Mumbai Football Arena (Andheri Sports Complex), Mumbai | Away |
| Thu, 17 Dec 2026 | 7:30 PM | Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal FC | Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru | Away |
| Mon, 21 Dec 2026 | 7:30 PM | East Bengal FC vs NorthEast United FC | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata | Home |
| Sun, 03 Jan 2027 | 5:00 PM | East Bengal FC vs Odisha FC | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata | Home |
| Sat, 09 Jan 2027 | 5:00 PM | East Bengal FC vs FC Goa | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata | Home |
| Sat, 16 Jan 2027 | 7:30 PM | Kerala Blasters FC vs East Bengal FC | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi | Away |
Key East Bengal matches to watch
- Title defence begins: Churchill Brothers vs East Bengal FC – 18 October, Fatorda.
- Kolkata Derby: East Bengal FC vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant – 29 November, 7:30 PM, Salt Lake Stadium. The biggest match of Phase 1.
- Tough away double: Mumbai City FC (13 December) and Bengaluru FC (17 December).
- Home run: three home games in a row at the Salt Lake Stadium – NorthEast United FC (21 December), Odisha FC (3 January) and FC Goa (9 January).
Phase 2 fixtures (January to May 2027) will be added here as soon as the league releases them. For every club’s matches, see the full ISL 2026-27 schedule.
East Bengal FC Tickets 2026-27: How to Book
East Bengal FC play their home matches at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata, and the Kolkata Derby is one of the hardest tickets to get in Indian football. Under the ISL’s new club-led model, the club has not yet announced its official ticketing partner or prices for 2026-27. East Bengal’s first home match is on 20 November, so sales should open before then. We’ll add direct booking links for every East Bengal home fixture on this page as soon as they are announced.
East Bengal FC Squad 2026-27
East Bengal have strengthened their title-winning squad with experienced forwards, including Poland’s Łukasz Zwoliński and Ivory Coast’s Ake Arnaud Loba, and signed Nsungusi Effiong and Dani Ramírez from Punjab FC. The list below is based on reports as of 18 September 2026; the final registered squad may differ.
Foreign players
| Player | Nationality | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Łukasz Zwoliński | Poland | Forward |
| Ake Arnaud Loba | Ivory Coast | Forward |
| Nsungusi Effiong | Nigeria | Forward |
| Chris Ikonomidis | Australia | Winger |
| Dani Ramírez | Spain | Attacking Midfielder |
| Mohammed Rashid | Palestine | Defensive Midfielder |
| Nacho Monsalve | Spain | Defender (injured – in rehabilitation) |
| Diego Živulić | Croatia | Defender |
Key ins and outs
Signed: Łukasz Zwoliński (from Sakaryaspor), Ake Arnaud Loba (from Club Tijuana), Nsungusi Effiong and Dani Ramírez (both from Punjab FC); Phurba Lachenpa (from Mumbai City FC).
Captain: Mohammed Rashid is reported to continue as captain; not officially confirmed.
Left: Kevin Sibille, Miguel Figueira (to Mohun Bagan Super Giant) and Youssef Ezzejjari.
East Bengal FC Head Coach
Antonio López Habas took charge of East Bengal in July 2026. The Spaniard is one of the most successful coaches in ISL history and now takes on the task of defending the club’s first ISL title. With a stronger attack and the Salt Lake crowd behind them, expectations are high.
East Bengal FC in 2025-26: How Last Season Went
2025-26 was historic for East Bengal. On 21 May 2026 they were crowned Indian Super League champions for the first time, ending a 22-year wait for a top-tier national league title. They finished level on 26 points with Mohun Bagan Super Giant (7 wins, 5 draws, 1 loss) but took the title on goal difference, scoring 30 goals and conceding only 11.
Salt Lake Stadium: East Bengal FC’s Home Ground
East Bengal play at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, better known as the Salt Lake Stadium, one of the biggest football stadiums in Asia. They share it with Mohun Bagan Super Giant, and it hosts the Kolkata Derby. Six of East Bengal’s 12 Phase 1 matches are at home.
East Bengal FC History and Trophies
Founded on 1 August 1920, East Bengal is one of the oldest and most decorated football clubs in Asia. The club won the ASEAN Club Championship in 2003 and has a huge collection of domestic trophies. In 2025-26 it added the one title that had been missing — the Indian Super League.
| Trophy | Titles / Seasons |
|---|---|
| Indian Super League | 1 (2025-26) |
| National Football League / I-League | 3 |
| Federation Cup | 9 |
| Durand Cup | 17 |
| IFA Shield | 29 |
| Calcutta Football League | 41 |
| Super Cup | 3 |
| ASEAN Club Championship | 1 (2003) |
East Bengal FC 2026-27 Season Preview
As champions, East Bengal start 2026-27 as the team everyone wants to beat. The late start and three early away games make the opening weeks tricky, but the Kolkata Derby on 29 November and a home-heavy December give Habas’s side the chance to build momentum. Anything less than a serious title challenge would be a disappointment.
Where to Watch East Bengal FC Matches Live
The official TV broadcaster and streaming partner for ISL 2026-27 have not been announced yet. Reports suggest Zee is close to a TV deal and YouTube is expected to stream matches, but neither is confirmed. We’ll update this section once the league confirms where to watch every East Bengal match live.
East Bengal FC ISL 2026-27: Frequently Asked Questions
When is East Bengal’s first match in ISL 2026-27?
East Bengal play Churchill Brothers on Sunday, 18 October 2026, at 5:00 PM IST (Fatorda Stadium, Goa).
When is East Bengal’s first home match?
East Bengal FC vs Sporting Club Delhi on Friday, 20 November 2026, at 5:00 PM IST (Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata).
How many matches will East Bengal play in ISL 2026-27?
24 league matches – 12 at home and 12 away. Phase 1 has 12 of them: 6 at home and 6 away.
Who is East Bengal’s head coach for 2026-27?
Antonio López Habas of Spain, appointed in July 2026.
Who are East Bengal’s foreign players for 2026-27?
As of 18 September 2026: Łukasz Zwoliński, Ake Arnaud Loba, Nsungusi Effiong, Chris Ikonomidis, Dani Ramírez, Mohammed Rashid, Nacho Monsalve and Diego Živulić.
Where do East Bengal play their home matches?
At the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata.
Who owns East Bengal?
The Emami Group holds a 76% stake in East Bengal FC, acquired in 2020.
How can I book East Bengal tickets for ISL 2026-27?
The club has not yet announced its 2026-27 ticketing partner. Booking links for every home match will be added to this page as soon as sales open.
Keep checking this page for East Bengal ticket links, Phase 2 fixtures and squad updates, and follow iSportsLeague on Facebook and Twitter for the latest ISL news.
Last updated: 26 September 2026 – Phase 1 fixtures added.
