The third season of the Super League Kerala officially begins today, September 25, 2026, with a blockbuster rematch of last year’s final between defending champions Kannur Warriors FC and Thrissur Magic FC at the Jawahar Municipal Stadium in Kannur. The tournament will run until December 12, 2026, featuring six teams: Kannur Warriors FC, Thrissur Magic FC, Calicut FC, Malappuram FC, Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC, and Forca Kochi FC. For fans unable to attend in person, every match will be streamed live and free on ZEE5, with linear television coverage provided by Unite8 Sports. International viewers in the Middle East and UAE can catch the action through Etisalat alongside digital availability on ZEE5.
Season 3 arrives with high stakes, star-studded team associations including Shashi Tharoor, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Sanju Samson, and massive fan support that routinely rivals top-tier national leagues. The league has introduced several strategic rule innovations to boost excitement. In a thrilling change, any group-stage match that ends level will go straight to a penalty shootout to determine extra points. A new 3-2-1 point system has been tailored around this shootout rule. For the first time, a new trophy—the Super League Kerala Shield—will be awarded to the team that finishes at the top of the regular-season table. The tournament will feature an expanded 35-match schedule, introducing two-legged semi-finals before the grand finale. Teams must also feature at least two Under-23 local players from Kerala on the pitch at all times, balanced by a maximum cap of four foreign players.
To overhaul the tactical standard, all six franchises are being led by high-profile international managers. Defending champions Kannur Warriors FC have appointed Russian mastermind Andrey Chernyshov. Last season’s finalists Thrissur Magic FC will look to go one step further under Spaniard David Caneda Perez. Forca Kochi FC, after finishing at the bottom last year, have brought in former Belgian World Cupper Vital Borkelmans to completely revamp their tactical setup. Malappuram FC are guided by seasoned Moroccan manager Karim Bencherifa, Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC by the experienced Ian Gillan, and Calicut FC, the only franchise to maintain continuity, have stuck with Argentine coach Ever Demalde.
A total of 162 registered players are taking part in the tournament, featuring 34 international stars from 17 countries, including elite marquee players like Maximiliano Urruti, alongside India’s top Santosh Trophy, I-League, and ISL standouts. The opening night promises to be a spectacular affair, with the rematch of last season’s final setting the tone for what is expected to be the most competitive and entertaining Super League Kerala season yet. With expanded playoffs, new rules, and a galaxy of international coaching talent, Season 3 is poised to elevate the standard of regional football in Kerala and captivate fans across the state and beyond.