For over eight years, the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) has significantly altered the football landscape in the country – from nurturing and showcasing young players, creating a wide talent pool, attracting attention of some of the biggest stars and clubs in the world to creating a dedicated fan base, the league has emphatically evolved every season.
The premier football league in the country has also established the inherent growth of Indian football stars and made them household names.
As the new season of the Hero ISL 2021-22 dawns over the horizon, Star Sports network, the official broadcaster of the tournament, celebrates the true passion of fans coming together to support their teams, cities, and favorite stars in the league through its campaign- ‘Yeh India Ka Football Hai’.
The campaign film creatively articulates the highlights of the storied league – key rivalries in the league, the fandom that players have gained throughout the country, and the voracious fanfare across teams– a true indication and celebration of Indian football throughout the country making it ‘India ka Football’.
Speaking about the NEW Hero ISL 2021-22 campaign, a Star Sports Spokesperson said: “Every Indian football fan looks forward to the power-packed live action of Hero ISL.”
“We are thrilled to bring the football fans together to celebrate ‘India ka Football’ with another edition of the Hero ISL which will lay emphasis on an enhanced viewing experience, improved storytelling, product innovations, and stronger fan engagement,” he added.
The upcoming season of the soccer league will return to the sandy shores of Goa once again this time as the previous season was also held in Goa alone due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last season’s finalists ATK Mohun Bagan will lock horns with Kerala Blasters in the tournament opener.
SC East Bengal will get their campaign underway against Jamshedpur FC on 21st November, while defending champions Mumbai City FC will renew their highly anticipated rivalry against FC Goa on 22nd November in a blockbuster clash.
The first installment of the high-octane derby SC East Bengal vs ATK Mohun Bagan will be held in the second round of the season on November 27.
Significantly, the ISL is the highest level league in Indian football system which is organised by All India Football Federation (AIFF) and their commercial partners Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL).
The league currently comprises 11 clubs.
During the league stage of the competition, each club plays against all the other clubs in a round-robin style. At the end of the league stage, the team with the most points gets declared the Premiers and presented with a trophy named League Winners Shield, and the top four clubs qualify for the play-offs.
The season then culminates with the ISL Final to determine the Champions who are presented with the ISL Trophy.