IFA Shield 2026-27 fixtures released as East Bengal and Mohun Bagan headline group-stage clashes with two debutants joining the historic tournament.
Kolkata, September 15: The proposed fixtures for the 133 years old IFA Shield 2026-27 have been released, with the tournament set to begin on September 22. Defending champions Mohun Bagan SG and runners-up East Bengal FC have been placed in the same group, setting up an interesting battle in the group stage.
Group A features East Bengal FC, Mohammedan SC and debutants Punjab FC, while Group B consists of Mohun Bagan SG, Sreenidi Deccan FC and debutant Northeast United FC.
East Bengal FC will begin their campaign against Mohammedan SC on September 22, before facing Punjab FC on September 28 at the East Bengal Ground. Mohammedan SC will take on Punjab FC on September 25.
Defending champions Mohun Bagan SG will start their title defence against Sreenidi Deccan FC on September 23 at the Mohun Bagan AC/CFC ground. Sreenidi Deccan FC will then face Northeast United FC on September 26, followed by Mohun Bagan SG’s clash against Northeast United FC on September 29.
The 2026-27 edition will also see Punjab FC and Northeast United FC make their IFA Shield debut, adding two new teams to the historic competition. The proposed semi-finals are scheduled for October 2, while the date and venue for the final are yet to be confirmed.
The biggest talking point, however, is the possibility of another East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan SG clash in the knockout stage. With the defending champions and runners-up both in the tournament, the IFA Shield 2026-27 promises another interesting battle for one of Indian football’s historic trophies.
East Bengal FC remain the most successful club in IFA Shield history with 29 titles, followed by Mohun Bagan SG with 22 titles, while Mohammedan SC have lifted the historic trophy six times. With all three Kolkata giants featuring in this edition, the tournament will once again see the traditional powers battle for the prestigious trophy. Meanwhile, Punjab FC and Northeast United FC will have an opportunity to create history, as both debutants can put their names on the IFA Shield winners’ list for the first time.
IFA Shield 2026-27 Fixtures:
Group A
22 September — Mohammedan SC vs East Bengal FC, TBD, 3:00 PM
25 September — Mohammedan SC vs Punjab FC, TBD, 3:00 PM
28 September — East Bengal FC vs Punjab FC, East Bengal Ground/Aryan Ground, 3:00 PM
Group B
23 September — Mohun Bagan SG vs Sreenidi Deccan FC, Mohun Bagan AC/CFC, 3:00 PM
26 September — Sreenidi Deccan FC vs Northeast United FC, TBD, 3:00 PM
29 September — Mohun Bagan SG vs Northeast United FC, Mohun Bagan AC/CFC, 3:00 PM
Semi-finals: 2 October, Venue TBD, Time TBD
Final: Date TBD, Venue TBD, Time TBD
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