The 2022-23 Indian Super League (ISL) kicks off on October 7 as last season’s runners-up Kerala Blasters host East Bengal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.
The 2022-23 season will be special as fans will be welcomed back to the stadiums after a gap of two seasons. Teams will now have the support of their ’12th Man’ yet again after missing them for two years.
Nita Ambani, founder and chairperson, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), on October 6 said that the upcoming season of the Indian Super League will be a key milestone for the league and Indian football.
“India’s football journey has been a testament to the spirit of the beautiful game! With fans back at the stadiums and an extended football calendar, there is tremendous excitement and anticipation for the upcoming ISL season. Fans are the heart and soul of football and we are delighted to have them in the stands cheering for their teams again,” said Nita Ambani.
She further said over the last few years, despite the challenges of the pandemic, ISL provided a solid platform for young talent and digital engagement to fans.
“I am sure this year will see the emergence of many more domestic players and top-quality football,” she added.
This season, the ISL will also provide fans easier access to live matches as the tournament shifts to more weekend-centric games from match week 3 onwards. This season has also been extended to feature a new playoff format that will involve the top six teams.
Featuring 117 matches of high-octane football action, the Hero ISL returns to entertain its fans across 10 venues around the country. For the first time ever, the ISL league stage will run for close to five months apart from the playoffs, semi-finals and final. Each club will play 20 league matches – 10 each at home and away through autumn till next spring as the league stage draws to a close on February 26, said an official release.
The opening match of the 2022-23 ISL season will be held on October 7, 2022. The last league stage matches will be held between February 23-26, 2023. Further, the playoffs, semifinals and final will be held in March 2023.
According to the release, Indian Super League is India’s premier professional football league which is organised by Football Sports Development Limited, a joint venture by Reliance Industries Ltd and Star India Ltd under the aegis of All India Football Federation.
ISL was launched in 2014. Currently, there are representations of 11 teams in the league including ATK Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, East Bengal, FC Goa, Hyderabad FC, Jamshedpur FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC and Odisha FC.
