The wait is finally over! The schedule for the 2018-19 season of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) is out, with live action slated to begin from September 29. In a little more than a month, our favorite football stars will take to the pitch for the fifth season, as they challenge for the coveted Hero ISL trophy. Get set to don your club jerseys and be prepared for a merry-go-round of emotions as we gear up for another action-packed campaign.

Here’s everything you need to know from the first two match-weeks.

Clash of the Titans

In a repeat of last season’s opening encounter, two-time champions ATK will face-off against arch-rivals Kerala Blasters FC at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata for the first match of the new campaign. Both sides suffered relatively disappointing 2017-18 outings and will be looking to make amends when the new season kicks-off.

ATK have made a sea of changes to their squad with Steve Coppell at the helm. The addition of Manuel Lanzarote, Kalu Uche, Pronay Halder and John Johnson make them one of the most feared teams in the league for the upcoming campaign.

Over at Kerala’s end, David James and Co. have made serious inroads in an attempt to bolster their title chances for the new season. Some of India’s most promising players including Halicharan Narzary, Anas Edathodika and Dheeraj Singh have shifted base to Kerala.

Opening Week Mayhem

The second match will feature last season’s finalists Chennaiyin FC and Bengaluru FC locking horns against each other on September 30, in what promises to be a truly enthralling encounter. The Blues will be hoping to get one over the defending champions after last season’s final heartbreak.

Free-scoring FC Goa will kick-start their campaign with a trip to NorthEast United FC on October 1, while Mumbai City FC host Jamshedpur FC at the Mumbai Football Arena on October 2.

The last fixture of the first match-week will pitch the Miguel Angel Portugal-led FC Pune City against Delhi Dynamos FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi. Portugal was the coach of Delhi during the 2017-18 campaign, but has now taken over the reins at Pune.

Renewed Rivalries in Week 2

After their tie against Kerala, ATK will host NorthEast United for their second fixture of the season. NorthEast have been one of the busiest sides in the summer transfer window, signing a host of Indian players. They are another side that will be looking to regain some ground after their run in the previous campaign. Kerala will host Mumbai City for their second match in front of the passionate Kerala supporters, while John Gregory’s Chennaiyin will renew hostilities with Sergio Lobera’s Goa.

Before the league breaks in October for the international fixtures, Hero ISL’s newest teams – Bengaluru and Jamshedpur will meet for their second fixture of the season. Jamshedpur have appointed Cesar Ferrando as their new head coach, and the Spaniard promises to deliver a new and refreshing brand of football this season.

Click here to check the complete fixture list