Shillong, July 16: The Shillong Premier League (SPL) 2026 is all set to kick-off on July 25, with the defending champions Langsning FC set to clash against Sawmer S&CC in the season opener at the SSA Stadium.
The Shillong Sports Association (SSA) on Thursday released the league fixtures along with the names of the participating 10 teams, confirming the dates and kick-off timing for the opening seven matches of the campaign, while the remaining fixtures will be announced later.
5th Meghalaya State League champions and newly promoted Nongkseh SS&CC will clash against Mylliem SC on July 27. On July 28, fellow promoted side Meghalaya Police FC will face Rangdajied United FC.
Shillong Lajong FC will open their campaign against Nangkiew Irat SC on July 29, while Mawlai SC will meet Laitkor SC on July 30. Sawmer S&CC will return to action against Rangdajied United FC on August 4 before Mylliem SC take on Laitkor SC the following day.
This year’s SPL features 10 clubs: Langsning FC, Shillong Lajong FC, Mawlai SC, Nangkiew Irat SC, Rangdajied United FC, Laitkor SC, Mylliem SC, Sawmer S&CC, Nongkseh SS&CC and Meghalaya Police FC, with the latter two earning promotion from the First Division last season.
The league will be played in a single-leg format, with each team facing every other side once over 45 matches. The club finishing at the top of the table will be crowned champions, while the bottom two teams will be relegated to the First Division for the 2027 season.
The league will once again be followed by the Shillong Super Cup, with the top six teams qualifying for the second edition of the knockout competition. The league champions and runners-up will earn direct entry into the semi-finals, while the teams finishing third to sixth will contest the quarter-finals, with the third-placed team facing the sixth-placed side and the fourth-placed team taking on the fifth-placed side. The two winners will qualify for the first and second semi-final.
New laws to reduce time-wasting and improving discipline
The 2026 season will also mark the introduction of several significant amendments to the Laws of the Game aimed at reducing time-wasting and improving discipline.
Among the changes is the 10-second substitution rule, requiring substituted players to leave the field within 10 seconds once the referee signals or the substitution board is raised. Players who exceed the time limit must still leave the field, but their replacement cannot enter until the first stoppage in play after one full minute of running game time has elapsed.
Referees will also enforce a visible five-second countdown for delayed throw-ins and goal kicks. If the countdown expires during a throw-in, possession will be awarded to the opposition. If it expires during a goal kick, the opposing team will be awarded a corner kick.
The new off-field injury protocol requires players receiving medical assessment or treatment on the pitch to leave the field and remain off for one full minute after play resumes to prevent tactical injury faking. The rule does not apply to goalkeepers, players with head injuries or those suffering serious medical conditions.
The updated disciplinary code also introduces stricter sanctions for player behaviour. Footballers can now be shown a straight red card if they deliberately cover their mouths while communicating with an opponent in a provocative, inflammatory or abusive manner.
In a move to further professionalise the competition, all participating clubs must register their players through the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Centralised Registration System (CRS). In addition, every club must appoint a head coach holding either an AFC ‘A’ or ‘B’ Licence, an equivalent AIFF coaching qualification, or a National Institute of Sports Diploma in Sports Coaching before the season begins.
