The SAFF Championship 2026 kicks off on 5 November and runs until the grand final on 17 November at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Six teams (hosts Bangladesh, defending champions India, Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bhutan) will play across two groups, a semi-final round on 14 November and a title decider three days later.
This guide covers the full schedule, groups, squads, venue, ticket prices and where to watch, so you can plan every single matchday with confidence.
SAFF Championship 2026 Schedule and Fixtures
The group-stage fixtures below match the Flashscore schedule you referred to, with kick-off times from the published match schedule. Times are shown in Bangladesh time (UTC+6) and India time (IST).
| Date | Match | Group | Kick-off (Dhaka) | Kick-off (India) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, 5 Nov | Pakistan vs India | B | 3:30 pm | 3:00 pm | National Stadium, Dhaka |
| Thu, 5 Nov | Bhutan vs Bangladesh | A | 8:00 pm | 7:30 pm | National Stadium, Dhaka |
| Sun, 8 Nov | Maldives vs Pakistan | B | 3:30 pm | 3:00 pm | National Stadium, Dhaka |
| Sun, 8 Nov | Sri Lanka vs Bhutan | A | 8:00 pm | 7:30 pm | National Stadium, Dhaka |
| Wed, 11 Nov | India vs Maldives | B | 3:30 pm | 3:00 pm | National Stadium, Dhaka |
| Wed, 11 Nov | Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka | A | 8:00 pm | 7:30 pm | National Stadium, Dhaka |
| Sat, 14 Nov | Semi-final 1 | Knockout | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | National Stadium, Dhaka |
| Sat, 14 Nov | Semi-final 2 | Knockout | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | National Stadium, Dhaka |
| Tue, 17 Nov | Final | Knockout | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | National Stadium, Dhaka |
Knockout kick-off times and the exact semi-final pairings depend on the group results, so check the official SAFF channels or Flashscore for updates.
SAFF Championship 2026 Kick-Off Times in Other Time Zones
| Slot | Dhaka / Thimphu | India | Pakistan / Maldives | Sri Lanka | UTC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afternoon match | 3:30 pm | 3:00 pm | 2:30 pm | 3:00 pm | 09:30 |
| Evening match | 8:00 pm | 7:30 pm | 7:00 pm | 7:30 pm | 14:00 |
SAFF Championship 2026 Teams – Squads, Rankings and Form
All six nations sit well outside the FIFA top 100, so the field is tight and upsets are always on the cards.
| Team | FIFA Ranking (June 2026) | Best SAFF Finish | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 138 | Champions (nine times) | B |
| Maldives | 173 | Champions (2008, 2018) | B |
| Bangladesh (hosts) | 181 | Champions (2003) | A |
| Sri Lanka | 187 | Champions (1995) | A |
| Bhutan | 192 | Semi-finals (2008) | A |
| Pakistan | 198 | Third place (1997) | B |
SAFF Championship 2026 Overview
The SAFF Championship 2026 features South Asian teams competing for the regional title, with Bangladesh hosting the tournament.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Tecno SAFF Championship Bangladesh 2026 (15th edition) |
| Organiser | South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) |
| Host Country | Bangladesh |
| Dates | 5–17 November 2026 (SAFF’s announcement referenced 4–17 November) |
| Venue | National Stadium, Dhaka (all matches) |
| Number of Teams | 6, split into two groups of three |
| Qualification | Top two teams from each group reach the semi-finals |
| Semi-finals | 14 November 2026 |
| Final | 17 November 2026 |
| Defending Champions | India (nine titles) |
| Tickets | Online via Tickify, with gallery tickets starting at Tk 999 |
| Live Streaming in India | VETO app (free, no subscription) |
SAFF Championship 2026 Format and Groups
Only six nations will compete because Nepal could not take part. The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) was suspended by FIFA on 24 June 2026, and SAFF’s 30 September deadline for the ban to be lifted passed without a resolution. It is the first time Nepal will miss a senior SAFF Championship.
| Group | Teams | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Group A (hosts’ group) | Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka | Bangladesh open against Bhutan |
| Group B (India’s group) | India, Pakistan, Maldives | Opens with India vs Pakistan |
Note: a few outlets label these groups the other way round. The team line-ups are the same everywhere.
In a three-team group, every side plays two matches and sits out one matchday. The two semi-finals take place on 14 November, followed by the final on 17 November. SAFF has also confirmed that VAR Lite will be used from the final group matchday, in the semi-finals and in the final, because the stadium cannot support the full VAR system.
SAFF Championship 2026 Venue – National Stadium, Dhaka
Every match will be played at the National Stadium (often called the Bangabandhu National Stadium) in the heart of Dhaka. The ground has a capacity of about 22,400. Earlier plans listed Bashundhara Kings Arena (around 6,000 seats) and Sylhet District Stadium (about 15,000 seats) as alternatives, but organisers have since confirmed a single-venue tournament.
The BFF and SAFF held a coordination meeting at the stadium covering entry gates, crowd movement, VIP arrangements and arrangements for visiting teams. SAFF is also helping supporters from participating countries with visa documentation, which is useful if you are travelling from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives or Bhutan.
SAFF Championship 2026 Tickets – Prices and How to Buy
Online sales are handled through the Tickify platform, and ticketing rights were awarded to TSA Sports and Entertainment. A single ticket covers both matches played at the stadium on that day.
| Ticket Category | Reported Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General Gallery | Tk 999 (Tk 1,070 including VAT) | One ticket for both matches of the day |
| Club House | Tk 3,999 (excl. VAT) | Premium seating |
| VIP | Tk 6,999 (excl. VAT) | Premium seating |
| Corporate Boxes and Sky Lounge | Tk 10,000–12,000 | Prices vary by report |
Prices have been controversial. Supporter groups, including Brothers Union and the Red & Green Army, have protested the entry cost, and former players have asked for lower pricing. SAFF has defended the rates by pointing to higher organising costs. Prices and availability can change, so confirm everything on the official ticketing page before you buy.
Tips for Buying SAFF Championship 2026 Tickets
- Buy for the matchday, not the match. One ticket covers the double-header.
- Check the gate and seating details on your ticket the day before.
- Arrive early on 5 November, India vs Pakistan day, when crowds are likely to be heaviest.
- Use only the official platform to avoid fake tickets.
How to Watch SAFF Championship 2026 Live
In India, the tournament will stream live and free on the VETO app.
VETO is a subscription-free OTT platform from India TV, and it has secured the streaming rights. Broadcast partners for Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan had not been confirmed in the sources I checked, so look at SAFF’s official social channels and your national federation for announcements.
SAFF Championship Past Winners List
| Winner | Titles | Years |
|---|---|---|
| India | 9 | 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2021, 2023 |
| Maldives | 2 | 2008, 2018 |
| Bangladesh | 1 | 2003 |
| Sri Lanka | 1 | 1995 |
| Afghanistan | 1 | 2013 |
Conclusion
The SAFF Championship 2026 brings South Asian football back to Dhaka after eight years, with India chasing a tenth title, Bangladesh backed by a home crowd and underdogs like Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bhutan eager to cause an upset.
Group games begin on 5 November, semi-finals follow on 14 November and the final arrives on 17 November. Bookmark this guide, check the official SAFF channels for late changes to squads, kick-offs or tickets, and enjoy every match of the tournament.
FAQs
The opening matches are on 5 November 2026, and the final is on 17 November.
All matches are at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Gallery tickets are reported at Tk 999 (Tk 1,070 with VAT) for a matchday, with premium categories costing more.
On the VETO app, free of charge.
India, who won in 2023 and have nine titles in total.
VAR Lite will be used from the final group matchday, in the semi-finals and in the final.
