Overview
- Kickoff is 7:30 pm IST at Kolkata's Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan, with TV on Sony Sports Network and streaming on SonyLIV and FanCode.
- East Bengal enter with a reinforced squad and a push for greater professionalisation under coach Oscar Bruzon, targeting a strong start at home.
- NorthEast United coach Juan Pedro Benali stresses a one-match-at-a-time approach and warns the truncated calendar leaves little room to find rhythm.
- With last season's 23-goal striker Alaeddine Ajaraie gone, responsibility shifts to Indian talents and new arrivals in NorthEast's forward line.
- NorthEast open with four straight away games before their first home match on March 15 against Jamshedpur, and have added IndianOil as an Associate Sponsor through 2026–27.