New Delhi/Jamshedpur/Kolkata, Wednesday, May 20, 2026: The Indian Super League 2025-26 title race will be decided on the final day, with five teams still in contention heading into Thursday’s decisive round of fixtures.

The final day will see Inter Kashi host East Bengal FC at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, while fellow title contenders Mohun Bagan Super Giant take on SC Delhi at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. Elsewhere, Jamshedpur FC will face Odisha FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur, while Punjab FC and Mumbai City FC square off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi in a fixture that could have major implications on the title race.

East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan SG currently lead the standings with 23 points each from 12 matches, while Punjab FC and Mumbai City FC sit just one point behind on 22. Jamshedpur FC remain in the hunt with 21 points.

All five contenders will be in action simultaneously on Thursday, May 21, with every match kicking off at 19:30 IST.

The title race remains finely poised not only because of the narrow points gap, but also due to the league’s tie-break regulations. If teams finish level on points, head-to-head record will be considered first, before goal difference comes into play.

We take a look at the scenarios that the different teams are faced with, as they head into the grand finale.

East Bengal FC

East Bengal enter the final round level on points at the top after their 1-1 draw against Mohun Bagan SG in the Kolkata Derby.

The Red and Gold Brigade are currently best placed in terms of goal difference, at a superior +18 compared to Mohun Bagan’s +13. A win against Inter Kashi would guarantee East Bengal at least 26 points and keep them firmly in control of the title race.

For East Bengal, a win against Inter Kashi all but assures them of the title, provided Mohun Bagan do not defeat SC Delhi by a margin that not only recovers their GD deficit of five goals, but also covers whatever margin East Bengal win by.

A draw would leave East Bengal vulnerable to being overtaken by Mohun Bagan, while also opening the door for Punjab FC or Mumbai City FC, should either side secure victory and finish on 25 points.

Defeat would significantly complicate matters for East Bengal, as they could then be overtaken by all four rivals depending on results elsewhere.

Mohun Bagan SG

Mohun Bagan remain firmly in contention after taking a point from the Kolkata Derby in their previous outing.

The Mariners know that victory against SC Delhi would take them to 26 points and pile pressure on East Bengal in the parallel fixture.

Given the current standings, Mohun Bagan’s clearest route to the title is to better East Bengal’s result on the night. If Mohun Bagan win and East Bengal drop points, the Mariners will secure the championship outright.

Should both sides finish level on points again after the final round, the head-to-head record between the two Kolkata clubs would first be examined. With both league meetings ending in draws, goal difference would then become decisive, where East Bengal currently hold the advantage.

That means Mohun Bagan may not only need to win, but potentially improve their goal difference substantially if East Bengal collect three points.

A draw for Mohun Bagan could still keep them alive if East Bengal lose and other results favour them, though it would also leave them exposed to Punjab FC and Mumbai City FC overtaking them.

SC Delhi arrive after a goalless draw against Inter Kashi and could play a major role in shaping the destination of the title despite being out of contention themselves.

Punjab FC and Mumbai City FC

The final-day clash between Punjab FC and Mumbai City FC effectively serves as a direct eliminator in the title race.

Both sides enter the match on 22 points, knowing that only a victory will realistically keep their championship hopes alive.

The equation for both teams is relatively similar. Victory would take either side to 25 points, but even that may not be enough unless both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan fail to win. If the Kolkata sides both draw, the winners in New Delhi will claim the title.

A draw between Punjab FC and Mumbai City FC would eliminate both teams from the title race, as neither side would be able to finish above the current leaders.

Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur will begin the final day as outsiders in the title race, but remain mathematically alive with 21 points from 12 matches.

Their task, however, is straightforward but demanding. Jamshedpur must defeat Odisha FC and hope multiple results elsewhere swing in their favour.

A win would move Jamshedpur to 24 points, meaning they would require East Bengal and Mohun Bagan to both lose, while also needing the clash between Punjab FC and Mumbai City FC to end in a draw.

Any draw or defeat would eliminate Jamshedpur from the title race immediately.

A five-way tie

A certain scenario may also arise, where five teams – East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru FC, Punjab FC, and Mumbai City FC may all end on the same number of points – 23.

Should East Bengal and Mohun Bagan lose their respective matches, and Punjab and Mumbai play out a draw in New Delhi, the four teams along with Bengaluru FC, will end with 23 points. Should Jamshedpur FC win their match in such a scenario, they will win the league. However, in case Jamshedpur drop points, East Bengal will win on head-to-head record, with Mumbai City, Mohun Bagan SG, Punjab FC, and Bengaluru FC finishing in their respective spots behind the Red and Golds.