The Indian Super League 2016 season will kick-off in Guwahati, Assam, with an opening ceremony and the season opening match.

By awarding Guwahati the rights to host ISL 2016 opening ceremony, Football Sports Development wishes to celebrate North East's contribution to the development of Indian football and recognise the potential it has in shaping the future of the beautiful game in the country.

Indira Gandhi Stadium, Sarusajai, with a capacity of 30,000 will be the hub of Indian and global fans on October 1st as the ISL teams will join owners, celebrities and performers to provide North East a memorable visual extravaganza at the opening ceremony.

The host club, NorthEast United FC -- aptly representing the eight states of North East -- led by new coach Nelo 'The Professor' Vingada will play the season-opening match against Steve Coppell's Kerala Blasters FC. 

Image: FC Goa players get into a huddle before the start of match 9 in the Indian Super League Season 2 against Chennaiyin FC, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Goa, on October 11, 2015 (Image used for representational purposes)

Photograph: ISL