The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has revealed the complete format and fixtures for the Super Cup 2025–26, India’s premier knockout football competition. The sixth edition will feature 16 teams, divided into four groups for the league stage.

Reigning Indian Super League (ISL) champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant and defending Super Cup winners FC Goa will be the top seeds, each leading a separate group.

The competition serves as the 44th season of India’s national cup tournament, bringing together ISL clubs and top I-League teams. The winner will earn a spot in the 2026–27 AFC Champions League Two preliminary stage.

If Mohun Bagan, currently banned from AFC competitions for at least a year, wins the title, the ISL league runners-up will take their place in continental qualification.

Group Stage and Structure

The official draw held on Thursday decided the following groups:

• Group A: Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC, Chennaiyin FC, Dempo SC (replacing Real Kashmir FC)

• Group B: FC Goa, Jamshedpur FC, NorthEast United FC, Inter Kashi FC

• Group C: Bengaluru FC, Mohammedan SC, Punjab FC, Gokulam Kerala FC

• Group D: Mumbai City FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Hyderabad FC, Rajasthan United FC

Only the group winners will advance to the semi-finals, and the champion will qualify for the AFC Champions League Two playoff.

The 2025-26 #AIFFSuperCup draw is out 🏆#IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/JxVyFYUAbo

— Indian Football (@IndianFootball) September 25, 2025

Schedule and Opening Matches

The group stage will include 24 matches from October 25 to November 6. The tournament will then pause for the FIFA International Window, during which India will play Bangladesh on November 18 in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Final Round.

The opening fixtures on October 25 will be:

• East Bengal FC vs Dempo SC

• Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Chennaiyin FC

East Bengal last lifted the Super Cup title in 2024, while FC Goa reclaimed the crown in May 2025 by defeating Jamshedpur FC 3–0 to win their second national title.

Real Kashmir Withdraws, Dempo Joins

Real Kashmir FC withdrew from the tournament after failing to secure visas for its foreign players. The Srinagar-based side was originally placed in Group A but pulled out days before the kickoff.

The AIFF quickly confirmed that Dempo SC, one of India’s most historic clubs, will replace them in the same group. Dempo will begin their campaign against East Bengal FC in the opening match.

Legacy and Previous Winners

The Super Cup was first held in 2018, when Bengaluru FC claimed the inaugural title. FC Goa won the next year by beating Chennaiyin FC in the final.

The tournament was suspended from 2020 to 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic but returned in 2023, with Odisha FC winning their first-ever major trophy after defeating Bengaluru FC.

With both ISL and I-League teams competing again this season, the Super Cup continues to stand as a bridge between India’s top divisions — offering clubs a chance at national glory and continental football.