The top tier of men’s professional football in India is called the Indian Super League and is currently in its tenth season. Here is a quick look at some of the highlights since that first season got underway in October 2013.
What is the ISL?
The Indian Super League (ISL) is the highest level of football in India. It’s currently on an international break as teams prepare to participate in the AFC Asian Cup, which kicks off on January 12, 2024, in Qatar.
The ISL 2023/24 campaign is halfway through its tenth season, and this season features the league’s first-ever newly-promoted side, Punjab FC.
The league’s two organising bodies are All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL). The ISL is also part of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the official football governing body in most Asian countries.
There are 12 teams in the league, each playing 22 league games. One fixture is played at home, and the other is played away, meaning teams place each other twice every season.
The regular league season usually starts in September and ends in March, followed by playoffs involving the six top-ranked teams.
The playoffs lead to the ISL Final, and the playoff winner becomes the league’ champions.’ The team with the most points at the end of the regular season are called the ‘premiers.‘ However, it’s worth noting that the ‘premier’ winner award was not introduced until the 2019/20 season.
The regular season’s winners (aka premiers) automatically qualify for the AFC Champions League 2 group stage. The other international cup is the SAFF Club Championship, and the three domestic league cups are the Durand Cup, the Federation Cup, and the Super Cup.
Are there any sports betting sites with markets for the ISL or Asia Cup?
Yes. For example, if you claim your bet365 bonus when registering your new free account on the official bet365 website, you will have access to thousands of monthly sports betting markets.
You can find some of the iGaming industry’s most competitive odds for major football events like the Asia Cup, Euro 2024, etc.
What have been some of the major highlights in the ISL since that first season?
Since the competition’s very first game on October 21 2013, the league has recorded continued growth in revenue and spectatorship.
More people than ever tune in to watch ISL matches from their smart TV, smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer thanks to various trusted football streaming sites, or attend the games in person and watch their favourite teams at the stadiums.
Let’s dive straight in to look at some of the major highlights from the past ten years:
- The champions of the inaugural ISL season were Atlético de Kolkata
- The first-ever premier winners when the system was introduced in 2019/20 were Goa
- Nigerian player Bartholomew Ogbeche (Hyderabad) and Spanish football Coro (Goa) are the two joint highest-goal scorers in a season. Coro scored 18 goals in the 2017/18 season, and Ogbeche achieved the same feat in the 2021/22 season
- The top goalscorer in the history of the league is also Bartholomew Ogbeche, with 63 goals
- The player with the most ever appearances in the league is Pritam Kotal
- The current premiers are Mumbai City (2022/23, their second title)
- The current champions are Mohun Bagan SG (2022/23, their first title)
Final thoughts
The league has become a great success, and experts predict it will become even more popular in India and across the globe over the coming years.
There’s still lots more to come from the ISL, and when the league resumes after the international break, the Kerala Blasters will attempt to hold on to their lead at the top of the table in their pursuit of winning their first-ever ISL championship or premier title.
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The Indian Super League (ISL), now in its tenth season, has witnessed significant growth since its 2013 debut. Major highlights include premier winners Goa & top scorer Bartholomew Ogbeche. 🇮🇳⚽🏆🌐📈 #TheIndianSun #IndianSuperLeaguehttps://t.co/m6HqnubN6O
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) January 9, 2024
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