With the Indian Super League Teams now joining in, the Super Cup has returned in 2025-26 with a season more exciting than any before.
Goa FC won the last 2024-25 season, and now all clubs and teams are going through a transformation to stand out among the 16 teams that will clash in four groups this season.
Let’s take a look at the final teams, and the first half of the confirmed match schedule – playoffs will be announced later – with a look at all past winners of the Super Cup!
Find everything you need to know about the Super Cup 2025.
What Is The Super Cup?
The Super Cup is India’s main knockout football tournament among top clubs from the Indian Super League and I-League. It was launched in 2018 by the All India Football Federation as a replacement for the old Federation Cup.
The format has changed a few times. At first, there were qualifiers, group-stage matches, and then knockouts.
In recent seasons, the Super Cup winner also gets a chance to play in AFC club competitions.
It has gained recognition among fans and clubs because it puts ISL and I-League sides against each other. Even though ISL is seen as the bigger league, the Super Cup gives smaller clubs moments to shine.
In terms of importance, it sits just below the league competitions but above many regional cups. Right now, it’s seen as a useful way to start the season and warm up before the league kicks off.
When Will Super Cup 2025-26 Start?
The Super Cup 2025-26 season will start on 25th October 2025, and the playoffs will go on till 6th November. After this, the knockouts and finals will be held, the dates of which have not been announced yet.
Why Are The ISL Teams Playing In The Super Cup 2025-26?
ISL clubs are in the Super Cup this season because the league itself was put on hold after a dispute over the Master Rights Agreement between the All India Football Federation and Football Sports Development Limited.
That left the ISL calendar uncertain and clubs without regular competitive football. The gap created salary concerns and planning troubles for many sides.
To keep players sharp and give teams meaningful matches while talks continue, AIFF scheduled the Super Cup as a stopgap in October and November.
The added attraction is that the winner gets a place in the AFC Champions League Two play-off, which is valuable for exposure and prize money.
While some clubs were hesitant because of finances and licensing issues, most have agreed that the Cup offers an important run-out and a real chance to fight for silverware.
Super Cup 2025-26 – All Teams
All 16 clubs are confirmed for the Super Cup 2025-26. Twelve come from the ISL and four from the I-League, with the winner promised an AFC Champions League Two play-off place.
| Club | Group (A, B, C, D) |
|---|---|
| Mohun Bagan Super Giant | A |
| East Bengal FC | A |
| Chennaiyin FC | A |
| Real Kashmir FC | A |
| FC Goa | B |
| Jamshedpur FC | B |
| NorthEast United FC | B |
| Inter Kashi FC | B |
| Bengaluru FC | C |
| Mohammedan SC | C |
| Punjab FC | C |
| Gokulam Kerala FC | C |
| Mumbai City FC | D |
| Kerala Blasters FC | D |
| Hyderabad FC | D |
| Rajasthan United FC | D |
Mohun Bagan Super Giant enters as the reigning ISL champions and carries momentum with Subhasish Bose’s leadership. East Bengal remains a strong crowd-puller under Cleiton Silva’s guidance.
Chennaiyin look to recover consistency after a tough campaign. Real Kashmir are once again the northern underdogs, bringing resilience from the I-League.
FC Goa’s Spanish style has kept them competitive in both league and continental games. Jamshedpur continues to rely on Tata’s system and player development.
NorthEast United invests heavily in local footballers from the region, while Inter Kashi looks to grow their reputation in only their second top-tier cup outing.
Bengaluru FC boasts a proven academy system and remains a title threat. Mohammedan SC are eager to prove themselves after strong I-League runs. Punjab FC is still building experience in the ISL, while Gokulam Kerala maintains one of the best scouting networks in India.
Mumbai City relies on the City Football Group’s deep resources to field a stacked squad. Kerala Blasters enjoy unmatched fan backing, though pressure to finally win remains. Hyderabad continues financial restructuring with young talent.
Rajasthan United will be looking for shock wins against bigger opponents to leave a mark in the group stage.
Schedule Of Super Cup 2025-26
Group stage runs from October 25 to November 6 2025 with 16 teams across four groups. Knockout dates will follow after the ISL calendar is finalised to avoid fixture clashes.
| Date | Group | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| October 25 | Group A | East Bengal vs Real Kashmir |
| October 25 | Group A | Mohun Bagan SG vs Chennaiyin FC |
| October 26 | Group B | NorthEast United FC vs Inter Kashi |
| October 26 | Group B | FC Goa vs Jamshedpur FC |
| October 27 | Group C | Punjab FC vs Gokulam Kerala FC |
| October 27 | Group D | Hyderabad FC vs Mumbai City FC |
| October 28 | Group A | Chennaiyin FC vs East Bengal FC |
| October 28 | Group A | Mohun Bagan SG vs Real Kashmir FC |
| October 29 | Group B | Jamshedpur FC vs NorthEast United FC |
| October 29 | Group B | FC Goa vs Inter Kashi |
| October 30 | Group C | Bengaluru FC vs Mohammedan Sporting Club |
| October 30 | Group D | Rajasthan United FC vs Kerala Blasters FC |
| October 31 | Group A | Real Kashmir FC vs Chennaiyin FC |
| October 31 | Group A | Mohun Bagan SG vs East Bengal FC |
| November 1 | Group B | Inter Kashi vs Jamshedpur FC |
| November 1 | Group B | FC Goa vs NorthEast United FC |
| November 2 | Group C | Mohammedan Sporting Club vs Punjab FC |
| November 2 | Group C | Gokulam Kerala FC vs Bengaluru FC |
| November 3 | Group D | Rajasthan United FC vs Mumbai City FC |
| November 3 | Group D | Kerala Blasters vs Hyderabad FC |
| November 5 | Group C | Bengaluru FC vs Punjab FC |
| November 5 | Group C | Gokulam Kerala FC vs Mohammedan Sporting Club |
| November 6 | Group D | Rajasthan United FC vs Hyderabad FC |
| November 6 | Group D | Mumbai City FC vs Kerala Blasters FC |
Group matches finish on November 6, and organisers say knockouts will be scheduled once ISL fixtures are locked.
That should limit travel pressure and media duties and let clubs manage squads and recover. But we can expect quarterfinals and semis after early ISL rounds, so the top teams can balance competitions and fan schedules.
Recap Of Super Cup 2024-25
FC Goa finally ended their wait and lifted the Kalinga Super Cup 2025, their first trophy since 2018. The Gaurs produced a clinical performance in Bhubaneswar, sweeping aside Jamshedpur 3-0 in the final.
Bora opened the scoring with a sharp finish that set the tone. His left foot did the damage again with a stunning strike that doubled Goa’s advantage and had the fans on their feet.
The third came through Drazic, who showed calmness to round the keeper before slotting home to seal the tie.
Albino Gomes was steady between the posts, making key saves to deny Jamshedpur’s pushback, while defenders like Odei and Seriton Fernandes kept things tight at the back.
Javi Hernández and Noah Sadaoui linked up well in midfield, pulling the strings and finding spaces that Jamshedpur couldn’t close down.
Under coach Manolo Márquez, this win marked Goa’s second Super Cup triumph and booked them a spot in the AFC Champions League 2 playoffs.
For the players and fans, it was a night of redemption and celebration, proof that Goa remain one of Indian football’s sharpest attacking sides.
Super Cup Winners List – All Past Seasons
The Super Cup has seen different champions emerge across its editions, with Bengaluru, Goa, Odisha, and East Bengal all making their mark in Indian football.
| Season | Champion | Runner-Up | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | FC Goa | Jamshedpur FC | Goa claimed second Super Cup crown |
| 2024 | East Bengal FC | Odisha FC | Ended East Bengal’s 12-year trophy drought |
| 2023 | Odisha FC | Bengaluru FC | Odisha’s first top-level title |
| 2020–22 | — | — | Tournament not held due to COVID |
| 2019 | FC Goa | Chennaiyin FC | Goa’s first major national trophy |
| 2018 | Bengaluru FC | East Bengal | First edition, Bengaluru’s dominance clear |
Bengaluru FC set the tone in 2018 by brushing aside East Bengal, a result that looked routine at the time but gave the new cup instant credibility.
A year later, Goa finally had its day in the sun, beating Chennaiyin and putting years of “almost” seasons behind them.
The tournament then went missing through the pandemic, and by the time it came back in 2023, Odisha grabbed its shot, surprising many by toppling Bengaluru.
East Bengal’s win in 2024 carried far more weight than a single trophy, ending a wait that stretched back to their Federation Cup years. This season, Goa added another, showing how quickly the balance can swing from one club to another.
Where Do I Watch Super Cup 2025-26?
For the 2025-26 edition, all matches will be shown in India on Star Sports 3 on TV. For streaming, you can watch through JioHotstar across mobile, tablet, and desktop platforms.
If you missed last season, the April 2025 Super Cup followed the same pattern: Star Sports 3 for TV coverage, and JioHotstar for online streaming.
Headlines To Read For Super Cup 2025-26
The Super Cup 2025 fixtures are out. East Bengal and Mohun Bagan find themselves clubbed together in Group A. Football fans have been talking about this pairing since the draw happened yesterday.
Real Kashmir FC round off the group, both keen to upset the traditional giants and push for a semifinal berth. The Kolkata giants will face each other at Fatorda Stadium on October 31.
The Super Cup will commence on October 25, with action from Group A, as East Bengal FC take on Real Kashmir FC, while Mohun Bagan SG face Chennaiyin FC. This means we get 24 matches packed into two weeks in Goa.
FC Goa is the current defending champion, having beaten Jamshedpur FC 3-0 in the final in May of this year. They will be looking to defend their title when the action starts next month.
Key Stars To Watch This Season
Key Stars To Watch This Season
Here are the players worth watching closely this tournament:
- Indian stars: Lallianzuala Chhangte (Mumbai City FC), Manvir Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, Sandesh Jhingan
- Foreign stars: Dimitri Petratos, Jason Cummings, Armando Sadiku
- Rising youngsters: Bikash Yumnam, Phrangki Buam, Asish Rai
Dimitri Petratos cost Rs 13 crores this season and showed why with his performances last year. He scored 10 goals and made seven assists while helping his team win the League Shield. The Australian midfielder picks his passes well and scores from set pieces.
Lallianzuala Chhangte played 2,078 minutes across 24 ISL games this season. He found the net six times and created two assists, making him Mumbai City’s second highest scorer. His speed down the flanks causes problems for tired defenders in knockout games.
Ajaraie had an incredible start to this ISL season for NorthEast United. He scored or assisted in his first eight league matches, proving he can handle pressure situations.
These cup games give younger Indian players chances to impress national team coaches. Past Super Cup performances have helped several players earn their first India caps. The stakes are high for everyone involved.
Who Owns & Funds The Super Cup?
The All India Football Federation runs the Super Cup tournament, which started in 2018 to replace the Federation Cup. The AIFF has confirmed it will start the bidding process to pick a new commercial partner as per the Supreme Court’s directive.
This happened after legal battles between AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited ended their partnership.
AIFF will issue the tender to find commercial rights buyers on September 15, 2025. KPMG has been hired to manage this tender process, with the commercial partner announcement set for October 15, 2025.
Under the old deal, FSDL provided Rs 50 crore annually to the AIFF and got broadcast, marketing, and operational rights for top football tournaments including the national team. The Super Cup gets its money through TV deals, sponsorship agreements, and ticket sales from matches.
ISL clubs have asked AIFF to find a financially strong commercial partner who can invest in Indian football for the long term. They want someone reliable who understands the game’s business side and can help it grow.
Predictions For Super Cup 2025-26
Mohun Bagan SG, East Bengal, FC Goa, and Mumbai City FC should reach the semifinals. Mohun Bagan won the ISL title this year and their squad looks strong for cup competitions.
FC Goa are defending Super Cup winners and they know how to handle knockout pressure. East Bengal will be hungry after missing out on major trophies recently.
Real Kashmir could shock people in Group A. They’ve been building quietly and cup games suit teams with nothing to lose
Playing against bigger clubs sometimes brings out the best in underdogs. Their high altitude home advantage won’t help here, but they still have talented players who can cause upsets.
Dimitri Petratos from Mohun Bagan gets my vote for player of the season. He was brilliant in the ISL and his creativity in the final third could decide tight knockout matches. Cup tournaments often belong to players who can produce magic moments when it matters most.
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Conclusion: Super Cup 2025-26 Returns With 16 Teams
After years of changes and challenges, the Super Cup 2025-26 brings Indian football back to center stage this October. The tournament fills a crucial gap while the ISL sorts out its commercial future, giving fans meaningful matches when they need them most.
With 16 teams battling across four groups in Goa, the winner gets an AFC Champions League Two play-off spot, adding continental dreams to domestic glory. From Mohun Bagan’s title defense to East Bengal’s hunger for more silverware, every match carries weight.
The group stage runs just two weeks, creating intense drama and quick turnarounds. Real Kashmir faces giants in the group of death, while defending champions FC Goa must prove their 2025 triumph was no fluke.
Mark your calendars for October 25 when the action begins.
FAQs
All Super Cup matches take place in Goa, with Fatorda Stadium confirmed for key fixtures including the Mohun Bagan versus East Bengal derby clash.
The Super Cup 2025-26 winner automatically earns a play-off spot in AFC Champions League Two, providing continental competition exposure and prize money.
Knockout stage dates will be announced after ISL fixture confirmation to prevent scheduling conflicts and allow proper squad rotation between competitions.
Four I-League representatives joined twelve ISL sides: Real Kashmir FC, Inter Kashi FC, Gokulam Kerala FC, and Rajasthan United FC compete this edition.
International broadcast details remain unconfirmed, though Star Sports typically arranges global coverage through partner networks for major Indian football tournaments.
