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Indian Super League

The Indian Super League (ISL) stands as India’s premier professional football league, captivating millions of fans across the country. Founded to transform the footballing landscape in India, the ISL has grown into a vibrant competition with top-tier clubs, international stars, and passionate local talent. On The Cricket Scores, our Indian Super League tag page brings together the latest ISL news, match updates, statistics, and in-depth stories all in one place.

History

Launched in 2014 by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the Indian Super League began with eight franchises. It was introduced to bring football to the forefront in India, modeled on the IPL’s success. Over the years, ISL has evolved from an exhibition-style event to India’s official top-tier league.

Competition Format

The ISL season typically runs from September to March. The format includes:

  • League Stage: 12 clubs play home-and-away fixtures.
  • Playoffs: Top six teams qualify, leading to semifinals and a grand final.
  • Trophies:
    • ISL Shield – awarded to the league stage topper (AFC Champions League berth).
    • ISL Trophy – awarded to playoff champion (AFC Cup qualifier).

Clubs

As of the 2024–25 season, there are 12 clubs competing:

  • Mumbai City FC
  • ATK Mohun Bagan
  • Bengaluru FC
  • Kerala Blasters FC
  • Chennaiyin FC
  • FC Goa
  • Odisha FC
  • Hyderabad FC
  • NorthEast United FC
  • East Bengal FC
  • Jamshedpur FC
  • Punjab FC (promoted in 2023)

Each club represents a major Indian city and contributes to building a strong regional fan base.

Championships

  • Most Titles: ATK/ATK Mohun Bagan – 4
  • Most League Shields: Mumbai City FC – 2
  • Recent Champions (2023–24): ATK Mohun Bagan

Ownership

Each ISL club is privately owned, involving prominent corporates, Bollywood celebrities, and sporting legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Ranbir Kapoor, and Virat Kohli. Ownership has played a crucial role in marketing and fan engagement.

Sponsorship and Revenues

ISL enjoys major sponsorships from Hero MotoCorp (title sponsor until 2023), and new commercial partners are regularly brought in through FSDL. Revenues come from media rights, gate collections, team merchandise, and digital platforms, contributing to the league’s rapid growth.

Media Coverage

ISL matches are broadcast live across India and globally:

  • India: Sports18 & JioCinema (HD streaming, multi-language commentary)
  • Global: DAZN (UK), ESPN+ (USA), StarzPlay (MENA), OneFootball (Europe)

Digital streaming has significantly increased ISL’s reach among younger fans.

Stadiums

The ISL is hosted at some of India’s most iconic football stadiums:

  • Salt Lake Stadium (Kolkata)
  • Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Kochi, Chennai)
  • Fatorda Stadium (Goa)
  • Kalinga Stadium (Odisha)
  • Sree Kanteerava Stadium (Bengaluru)
  • Mumbai Football Arena

Coaches

ISL clubs attract top coaching talent from across the globe. Renowned managers like Sergio Lobera, Juan Ferrando, and Antonio Habas have left a lasting impact on team performance and tactics.

Players

The ISL has helped develop Indian football by mixing international stars with young Indian talent. Notable foreign players include Bartholomew Ogbeche and Hugo Boumous, while Indian stars like Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and Sahal Abdul Samad have become household names.

Awards

The league presents multiple end-of-season awards:

  • Golden Boot – Top Scorer
  • Golden Glove – Best Goalkeeper
  • Emerging Player of the Season – Best Young Indian Talent
  • Hero of the League – Most Valuable Player

Partnerships

The ISL has strategic partnerships with:

  • Premier League (UK) – Knowledge and training exchanges
  • La Liga & Bundesliga clubs – Youth development and scouting
  • AFC & FIFA – Technical support and competition recognition

Stay updated with all Indian Super League updates only on The Cricket Scores — your hub for scores, stats, and stories from India’s biggest football league.