Indian Super League (ISL)
The Indian Super League (ISL) is one of the top professional football leagues in India.
Launched in 2014, the league revolutionized Indian football by introducing modern club structures,
international partnerships, and widespread national marketing.
History and facts
The ISL was launched in 2014 with eight franchise-style clubs and quickly became one of the most-watched football leagues in Asia. It brought global stars such as Alessandro Del Piero, Roberto Carlos, Diego Forlán, Nicolas Anelka, David James, and Robert Pirès to India.
Since 2017-18, the ISL has been recognized as a top-tier league alongside the I-League. In 2022, the league champion began earning a spot in the AFC Cup / AFC Champions League 2.
Clubs in the ISL follow modern European-style structures with strong fanbases, youth academies, and professional administration.
League system
ISL is a top-division league in India, running alongside the I-League.
Promotion and relegation between ISL and I-League are planned under the new AFC roadmap.
Table 1. Indian football league system
| League | Tier |
|---|---|
| Indian Super League (ISL) | 1 |
| I-League | 2 |
| I-League 2 | 3 |
| State & Regional Leagues | 4+ |
India also has major cup competitions such as the Durand Cup and Super Cup.
Stats
Teams with most ISL titles
Table 2. Most ISL championship titles
| Club | Titles |
|---|---|
| ATK / ATK Mohun Bagan | 3 |
| Chennaiyin FC | 2 |
| Bengaluru FC | 1 |
| Mumbai City FC | 1 |
| Hyderabad FC | 1 |
ATK became the league’s first dominant club, while Mumbai City FC has risen strongly in recent years.
Teams with most participation
Table 3. Clubs with most seasons in ISL
| Club | Seasons |
|---|---|
| Kerala Blasters FC | 10+ |
| FC Goa | 10+ |
| Mumbai City FC | 10+ |
| Chennaiyin FC | 10+ |
| ATK / ATK Mohun Bagan | 9+ |
Kerala Blasters and FC Goa have been among the most consistent and popular ISL clubs.
Audience
Stadium capacities
Table 4. Major ISL stadiums
| Team | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Kerala Blasters FC | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Kochi) | 41,000 |
| ATK Mohun Bagan | Salt Lake Stadium | 68,000 |
| Bengaluru FC | Sree Kanteerava Stadium | 25,000 |
| FC Goa | Fatorda Stadium | 19,000 |
| Mumbai City FC | Mumbai Football Arena | 7,000 |
Players
Famous players in ISL history
- Alessandro Del Piero
- Robert Pirès
- Nicolas Anelka
- Roberto Carlos
- Diego Forlán
- Asamoah Gyan
- Sunil Chhetri
- Sandesh Jhingan
Indian Super League timeline
2014
The Indian Super League (ISL) is launched with 8 teams.
2017
ISL is recognized as a top-tier league alongside the I-League.
2020
ISL continues successfully under COVID-19 bubble format.
2022
ISL champion earns qualification for AFC continental competitions.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Super_League
https://www.indiansuperleague.com
https://www.rsssf.org
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Super_League
https://www.indiansuperleague.com
https://www.rsssf.org
