In the fixtures released by organiser Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) on Friday, defending champion ATK Mohun Bagan FC and Kerala Blasters FC were pitted against each other for the opening match at the GMC Stadium in Goa on November 20.

New entrant SC East Bengal will make its league debut in a ‘Kolkata Derby’ against arch rival ATK Mohun Bagan at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on November 27. Last season’s ‘League Shield’ winner FC Goa will meet Bengaluru FC in its first game at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on November 22.

The fixtures for the first 11 rounds that feature six double headers were announced while the schedule for the remaining matches will be out at the end of this year.