The Indian Super League (ISL) is set to commence its 2025-26 season with a high-profile match featuring defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) against Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC). This opening fixture marks the beginning of a new league campaign, with both teams aiming for a strong start. MBSG enters the match as the reigning champions, while KBFC, under new head coach David Catala, seeks to disrupt the champions' home advantage and secure an early win. The encounter is scheduled to take place at Kolkata's Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.

Context of the Match
The upcoming ISL 2025-26 season opener between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Kerala Blasters FC is a significant event in Indian football. The league is returning after a period of anticipation, and this match highlights the league's structure, which includes a total of fifteen participating teams. Besides the two featured clubs, the ISL will see competition from other known entities and a newly promoted side.
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League Participants:
Mohun Bagan Super Giant (Defending Champions)
Kerala Blasters FC
East Bengal FC
Mohammedan SC
Mumbai City FC
Bengaluru FC
FC Goa
Sporting Club Delhi (formerly Hyderabad FC)
Chennaiyin FC
Odisha FC
NorthEast United FC
Jamshedpur FC
Punjab FC
Inter Kashi (Newly promoted)
Head Coaches: Mohun Bagan Super Giant is under the guidance of new head coach Sergio Lobera, while Kerala Blasters FC begins its campaign with head coach David Catala.
Venue: The match will be held at the Salt Lake Stadium (also referred to as Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan) in Kolkata.
Match Date and Time: The opening clash is scheduled for Saturday, February 14. The kick-off time is 5:00 PM IST.
Historical Context: Mohun Bagan and Kerala Blasters have a history of "intense battles" and "heavyweight clashes" in past seasons. Kerala Blasters, a team that has been a runner-up three times, will be looking to improve their record against Mohun Bagan.
Broadcast and Streaming Information
For fans wishing to follow the ISL 2025-26 season opener, several viewing options are available, catering to both television and online audiences.
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Television Broadcast: In India, the match will be broadcast on the Sony Sports Network channels, specifically Sony Sports 2.
Online Streaming:
FanCode: The FanCode app and website are designated platforms for fans in India to stream the fixture live.
YouTube: For audiences outside of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, the match will be available for live streaming on YouTube.
Team Dynamics and Expectations
Both Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Kerala Blasters FC are entering the new season with distinct aspirations and, in some cases, new leadership.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant: As the reigning ISL League Winners' Shield champions, MBSG aims to defend their title and make a "strong start at home." The team is embarking on this new chapter under the leadership of new head coach Sergio Lobera, who has prior ISL championship experience.
Kerala Blasters FC: KBFC is entering a "new era" with head coach David Catala. The team is described as having "quite a new side" and will be looking to "spoil the party" and "secure an early win on the road," aiming to register their first points of the season.
Other League Fixtures
While the focus is on the opening match, the ISL 2025-26 season will feature other games. The second match of the opening day involves FC Goa and Inter Kashi, scheduled to be played at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, with a kick-off at 19:30 IST.
Expert Analysis
The opening match between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Kerala Blasters FC presents an interesting tactical narrative. Mohun Bagan, as the defending champions and playing at home, will likely aim to assert control and leverage their home advantage. Kerala Blasters, under new management and with a potentially revamped squad, might adopt a more cautious approach initially, seeking to counter and capitalize on any defensive lapses. The presence of new head coaches for both sides adds an element of the unknown, as their strategies and team selections will be under scrutiny from the outset. The history of close contests between these two teams suggests that tactical discipline and individual brilliance could be decisive factors.
Conclusion and Implications
The 2025-26 Indian Super League season officially commences with a highly anticipated clash between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Kerala Blasters FC. The match signifies the start of a new competitive cycle, with implications for the early standings and team morale. Mohun Bagan aims to build on their championship success, while Kerala Blasters seeks to initiate their campaign with a statement victory under new leadership. The availability of multiple viewing channels ensures broad access for fans across different regions. The broader context of the league includes fifteen teams, indicating a competitive season ahead, with other matches like FC Goa vs. Inter Kashi also forming part of the opening day's schedule.
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Sources Used:
Zee News: https://zeenews.india.com/other-sports/mohun-bagan-super-giant-vs-kerala-blasters-live-streaming-when-and-where-to-watch-mbsg-v-kbfc-isl-2025-26-match-3016887.html
Times Now News: https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/football/indian-super-league-live-streaming-mohun-bagan-super-giant-vs-kerala-blasters-opening-article-153611033
NDTV Profit: https://www.ndtvprofit.com/sports/football-indian-super-league-2025-26-mohun-bagan-super-giant-vs-kerala-blasters-fc-live-streaming-telecast-time-where-to-watch-tv-online-kolkata-salt-10998584
Goal.com India: https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/how-to-watch-mohun-bagan-kerala-blasters-02142026/bltd829d0644be53ceb
Outlook India: https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/football/mohun-bagan-super-giant-vs-kerala-blasters-live-streaming-indian-super-league-2026-where-to-watch-head-to-head
Sporting News India: https://www.sportingnews.com/in/football/news/where-watch-mb-kbfc-isl-2025-26-live-stream-tv-channel/d2ff069149d8598b6e1efb5a
India TV News: https://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/football/mohun-bagan-vs-kerala-blasters-when-and-where-to-watch-isl-2026-live-on-tv-and-stream-online-2026-02-14-1030260