Calcutta: NorthEast United FC (NUFC) will face Kerala Blasters in the opening game of this year's Indian Super League (ISL) at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati on October 1.

Sixty one games spread across 79 days will be played in a home-away league format, to be followed by the semis and the final in the third edition of ISL. The first leg of the semi-finals will be on December 10 and 11, with the second-leg matches on December 13 and 14. The final will be on December 18.

All matches begin at 7 pm. Champions of the inaugural edition, Atletico de Kolkata (ATK), begin their campaign on October 2 versus defending champions Chennaiyin FC at their new home ground - Rabindra Sarobar Stadium.

ATK had announced the signing of Spanish centre forward Juan Belencoso and added more fervour to their international line-up of players. Known for his clinical finishes, Belencoso played for Kitchee FC of Hong Kong, Albacete Balompie, UB Conquense, CD Lugo and Cadiz CF.

The Delhi Dynamos, meanwhile, appointed 2006 World Cup winning midfielder, Simone Barone of Italy, as their assistant coach.