Kerala Blasters to kick off Super Cup as AFC spot beckons | OneFootball

Super Cup 2025 Schedule Unveiled: Kerala Blasters to Face East Bengal in Tournament Opener

The All India Football Federation has announced the complete fixture list for the Kalinga Super Cup 2025, which will take place in Bhubaneswar from April 20 to May 3. The tournament will feature 16 clubs in a knockout format, with Kerala Blasters FC set to play East Bengal in the opening match.

The competition brings together 13 Indian Super League (ISL) teams and three I-League clubs - Churchill Brothers FC Goa, Inter Kashi, and Gokulam Kerala FC. All matches will be hosted at the Kalinga Stadium.

The tournament carries significant weight as the champion will secure a spot in the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Round, offering a pathway to continental competition.

ISL teams have been seeded according to their final league positions from the 2024-25 season. The three I-League participants will face the top three ISL sides - Mohun Bagan Super Giant, FC Goa, and Bengaluru FC - with specific matchups to be determined by a draw scheduled for April 9.

The competition structure follows a straightforward elimination format. For the round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals, matches level after 90 minutes will proceed directly to penalty shootouts without extra time. The final, however, will include an additional 30 minutes if the teams are tied after regulation time, followed by penalties if necessary.

Key fixtures include Mohun Bagan Super Giant facing an I-League opponent on April 20, while Mumbai City FC will take on Chennaiyin FC on April 23. The quarterfinals are scheduled for April 26-27, with both semifinals set for April 30. The tournament will culminate with the final on May 3.

The round of 16 will see other notable matchups including FC Goa against an I-League side, Odisha FC versus Punjab FC, and NorthEast United taking on Mohammedan Sporting.

Source: SportStar