The season four of Hero Indian Super league will kick-off with a mouth-watering clash between arch rivals and defending champions Atletico De Kolkata (ATK) and runners-up Kerala Blasters FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt lake Stadium) in Kolkata on November 17.
The clash between two-time champions ATK and Kerala Blasters FC in the opener will also bring the seasoned rivalry between Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov from Europe to Indian soil.
The upcoming season will see 10 teams in action, with the addition of Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC, which will result in a prolonged season lasting four months for the first time. Football Sports Development ltd, a joint venture between IMG, Reliance Industries and Star India, announced the match schedule of the power-packed ISl season four on Friday featuring 95 matches.
All 10 teams play each other in a home-and-away format in 90 games before the two-legged semi-finals which are scheduled to take place in the second week of March. Date and venue for the Final of the 2017-18 season will be announced later. All league matches to be played from Wednesday to Saturday will kick off at 8 PM (IST) with Sunday featuring double headers at 5:30 PM and 8 PM (IST).
The season's first double-header will see a repeat of the 2016 Final between Chennaiyin FC and FC Goa in Chennai followed by AFC Cup 2016 finalist, Bengaluru FC, getting their first taste of Hero ISl when they take on last season's semi-finalists Mumbai City FC in a home match at Sree Kanteerava Stadium on 19th November. The highlight of the day will undoubtedly be India captain, Sunil Chhetri taking on his previous club for the first time.