The IFA Shield is all set to commence on December 6 in Kolkata. The matches will be played behind closed doors owing to the coronavirus pandemic.AIFF announced that there will be no bio-bubble for this season's IFA Shield, although the players will have to undergo the required number of COVID-19 tests.A total of 12 teams will take part in this event, comprising of four I-League teams and eight Calcutta Football League teams. The teams are Kidderpore SC, Kalighat MS, Mohammedan SC, Indian Arrows, Gokulam Kerala FC, Sudeva FC, Peerless SC, Aryan, Southern Samity, George Telegraph, United SC and BSS Sporting.Unfortunately, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will not be a part of this year's edition. However, the organising committee has allowed senior teams to take part in this event. The last three years saw only U-19 teams play in the IFA Shield.Previously, even foreign clubs were invited to play in the IFA Shield, but the organizers haven't done so this time due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.IFA Shield 2020 League FormatThe tournament will have a league-cum-knockout format, with a total of four groups. Each group will comprise of three teams with the top two from each group making it to the quarter-finals.Every team will play its opponent once in the group stage. So, all teams will get to play two games each in the group stage.The Blackpanthers are ready to roar once again on the 123rd edition of the prestigious IFA Shield⚪️⚫️ ASHO KHELA HOBE 💪🏻⚽️🇮🇳🏆#JaanJaanMohammedan#BlackPanthers#IndianFootball#IFAShield pic.twitter.com/mWSW9lvRIP— Mohammedan SC (@MohammedanSC) November 23, 2020Group A: Kalighat MS, Kidderpore SC, Mohammedan SportingGroup B: Aryan FC, Sudeva Delhi FC, Peerless SCGroup C: Southern Samity, George Telegraph, Indian ArrowsGroup D: Gokulam Kerala FC, United SC, BSS SportingIFA Shield 2020 FixturesDecember 6, Sunday (Matchday 1)Kidderpore SC vs Mohammedan SportingSudeva Delhi FC vs Peerless SCIndian Arrows vs Southern SamityUnited SC vs Gokulam Kerala FCDecember 9, Wednesday (Matchday 2)United SC vs BSS SportingIndian Arrows vs George TelegraphSudeva Delhi FC vs Aryan ClubKidderpore SC vs Kalighat MSDecember 12, Saturday (Matchday 3)Mohammedan Sporting vs Kalighat MSGokulam Kerala FC vs BSS SportingSouthern Samity vs George TelegraphPeerless SC vs Aryan Club*All matches begin at 5:30 PM IST!IFA Shield 2020 VenueThe IFA Shield will take place at four different venues. The organizers are yet to decide the exact venues for this event.IFA Shield 2020 Cash PrizeWinners - INR 3 lakhRunner Up - INR 2 lakhBest Coach & Best Player award will also be given during this edition of the IFA Shield. The awards will be named in honor of legendary players PK Banerjee and Chuni Goswami respectively.IFA Shield 2020 TelecastAll matches will be telecasted live on Kolkata TV. 🗣️ Venkatesh Shanmugam: It’s an honour 🤩 for the boys to compete in IFA Shield 🏆Read more 👉 https://t.co/BHl7dFDWDG#IndianFootball ⚽ #BackTheBlue 💙 #HeroILeague #LeagueForAll 🤝 pic.twitter.com/BoGUu6AvCO— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) November 20, 2020