Chennaiyin FC play their first home match of the 2026-27 Indian Super League season against Kerala Blasters at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday 31 October, kick-off 5 pm. The club has started with two away games: a 1-1 draw at FC Goa on 10 October, when Irfan Yadwad scored, and a 2-0 defeat to Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on 17 October, the league reported.
Next up is Mohun Bagan Super Giant in Kolkata on 26 October, according to the club’s match report. Clifford Miranda remains head coach. Here is what fans in the city need to know about the season, the home ground and tickets.
How the 2026-27 ISL works
The season began on 10 October and is expected to run until May 2027. Thirteen clubs are taking part, ETV Bharat reported from the league’s announcement:
- League stage: a double round-robin, so each club plays every other club once at home and once away.
- Shield: the team on top of the table after the league stage wins the League Shield and, per the league’s statement as reported, a direct continental slot.
- ISL Cup: the top six go into playoffs for the ISL Cup, which has been reinstated this season.
- No relegation this year: Diamond Harbour FC did not take part after failing to pay the fee and will play in the second tier instead.
This is also the first season run under what the league calls a club-led model, with participating clubs holding the commercial rights; the previous season was managed by the All India Football Federation, Outlook reported. Churchill Brothers have taken the place of Jamshedpur FC. Matches stream free on the ISL’s YouTube channel, with SonyLIV and Sony Sports Network also carrying them.
The calmer start is a change from last season. In January 2026, DT Next reported that the 2025-26 league had been pushed to a 14 February start because a commercial rights agreement was delayed, and that Chennaiyin had asked for rent-free use of Nehru Stadium for six home games.
Home fixtures in Phase 1
The first phase of the fixture list runs to 17 January. Chennaiyin’s home games, all at Nehru Stadium, are listed below as published in the Phase 1 schedule. Times are IST and can be changed by the league.
| Date | Opponent | Kick-off |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 31 Oct 2026 | Kerala Blasters FC | 5:00 pm |
| Sat 7 Nov 2026 | East Bengal FC | 7:30 pm |
| Sat 21 Nov 2026 | Punjab FC | 5:00 pm |
| Thu 10 Dec 2026 | Churchill Brothers | 7:30 pm |
| Wed 16 Dec 2026 | Inter Kashi | 5:00 pm |
| Fri 8 Jan 2027 | Odisha FC | 7:30 pm |
The away run in between takes the team to Mumbai City on 30 November, NorthEast United in Guwahati on 6 December and Sporting Club Delhi on 17 January. The November and December home games fall in the heart of the northeast monsoon, which set in over Tamil Nadu on 15 October, so keep an eye on the club’s channels for any weather changes on match day.
Getting to Nehru Stadium
Chennaiyin’s home ground is the SDAT-run Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Raja Muthiah Road, Periamet. The ISL venue page puts Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central metro station about 500 metres away and Central railway station about 600 metres away; the airport is roughly 21 km. On match evenings the metro is the simplest option, since road access around Periamet and Central is congested and parking is limited.
The club also trains next door. DT Next reported that Chennaiyin worked with the state to revamp the stadium’s B Ground, which is now its training base, after the government approved ₹25 crore for stadium renovation in 2023.
Tickets and memberships
The club website points fans to BookMyShow for both single-match tickets and the “CFC Membership 26-27” season package. Prices had not been published on an official page when we checked, so compare stands and inclusions on the booking page itself. Buy only through the club’s linked platform; resale tickets shared on social media are a common source of fraud. If you lose money to a fake ticket offer, report it on cybercrime.gov.in or by calling 1930.
The club, which the ISL lists as two-time ISL Cup winners, usually announces gate timings, banned items and any changes to kick-off on its website and social accounts in the days before each home game.
Quick answers
When is Chennaiyin FC’s first home game of 2026-27?
Saturday 31 October 2026 against Kerala Blasters at Nehru Stadium, kick-off 5 pm.
Where can I buy Chennaiyin FC tickets?
Through BookMyShow, using the links on chennaiyinfc.com. Season memberships for 2026-27 are sold there too.
How many teams are in the ISL this season?
Thirteen. Each plays the others home and away, and the top six go into the ISL Cup playoffs.
Can I watch ISL matches free?
Yes. Matches stream on the ISL’s official YouTube channel, and Sony’s channels and SonyLIV also carry them.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- Bengaluru FC maintain winning start with 2-0 victory over Chennaiyin FC (Indian Super League)
- Chennaiyin FC venue page (Indian Super League)
- ISL 2026/27: Chennaiyin FC fall to Bengaluru FC in Southern Derby (Chennaiyin FC)
- Chennaiyin FC official website (tickets and memberships)
- ISL 2026-27 start date revealed: season to kick off on October 10 (ETV Bharat)
- Indian Super League 2026-27 guide: clubs, format and schedule (Outlook India)
- Chennaiyin FC seeks rent-free use of JLN Stadium as SDAT awaits formal request (DT Next)
