Hero ISL 2021-22 runners-up Kerala Blaster FC will open the Hero ISL 2022-23 campaign against Emami East Bengal on October 7 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, the official website confirmed on Thursday. The complete schedule of the ninth edition is out with a new format for the semifinals.

After two seasons of playing behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the fans will return to the stadium, which will be a big boost for the players.

Meanwhile, instead of the top four teams qualifying for the semifinal stages, the top six teams of the standings will make it through to the playoff stages.

The top two teams on the points table will directly make it to the semifinals while the third-placed team will take on the sixth-placed team in the first Eliminator and the teams which will finish in fourth and fifth place will take on each other in the second Eliminator. The two teams which will win the Eliminator contests will qualify for the semifinals.

There will be two legs in the semifinals but one match will be played for the Eliminators.

On the other hand, reigning champions Hyderabad FC will begin their title defense against Mumbai City FC on October 9, in Hyderabad. League shield champions Jamshedpur will take Odisha FC for their first match on October 11.

The Kolkata derby between ATK Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will be played on 29th October and 25th February.

New ISL Playoff Format:

Eliminator 1: 3rd placed team vs 6th placed team

Eliminator 2: 4th placed team vs 5th placed team

Semi-Final 1 1st Leg: 1st placed team vs (Winner – Eliminator 2)

Semi-Final 2 1st Leg: 2nd placed team vs (Winner – Eliminator 1)

Semi-Final 1 2nd Leg: (Winner – Eliminator 2) vs 1st placed team

Semi-Final 2 2nd Leg: (Winner – Eliminator 1) vs 2nd placed team

Final: (Winner Semi-Final 1) vs (Winner Semi-Final 2)