Bengal Super League
| Organising body | Indian Football Association Shrachi Sports |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2025 |
| Country | India |
| Number of clubs | 8 |
| Current champions | Howrah Hooghly Warriors (1st title) |
| Most championships | Howrah Hooghly Warriors (1 title) |
| Broadcaster(s) | Zee BanglaSonar ZEE5 |
| Website | bengalsuperleague.com |
| Current: 2025–26 Bengal Super League | |
The Bengal Super League (BSL) is a professional football league in the Indian state of West Bengal, organized by the Indian Football Association. Established in July 2025, the league features district-based franchise teams and is aimed at developing grassroots football, creating a structured pathway for district talents, professionalizing the sport in Bengal, establishing a feeder system for national leagues, and boosting infrastructure, fan engagement, and commercial investment in rural ecosystems.[1][2][3]
History
The league was officially launched on 8 July 2025 at the Great Eastern Hotel, by the Indian Football Association in association with sports management company Shrachi Sports, under a ten-year agreement between the two organizations.[4][5] In October 2025, the BSL announced Lothar Matthäus as the league ambassador.[6]
Format
The BSL follows a model similar to the ISL. Eight teams representing different districts were announced for the inaugural season. Each team is allowed a 25-member squad. The competition features a total of 61 matches, including double round-robin fixtures, semifinals, and a final.[7] Each team builds its squad through a player draft system.[8] Teams are required to field at least seven state-grown players, including U-19 footballers, in their playing XI. Only two foreign players and two national-level outstation players are permitted in each team.[4]
Teams
Stadiums
| Burdwan Blasters | Howrah Hooghly Warriors | JHR Royal City | Kopa Tigers Birbhum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spandan Stadium | Sailen Manna Stadium | DSA Stadium | Berhampore Stadium | Bolpur Stadium |
| Capacity: 4,000 | Capacity: 15,000 | Capacity: 15,000 | Capacity: 5,000 | Capacity: 15,000 |
| Medinipur | North 24 Parganas | North Bengal United | Kopa Tigers Birbhum, Howrah Hooghly Warriors |
Sundarban Bengal Auto |
| Sri Aurobindo Stadium | Bankimanjali Stadium | Kanchenjunga Stadium | Kalyani Stadium | Canning Sports Complex |
| Capacity: 10,000 | Capacity: 25,000 | Capacity: 40,000 | Capacity: 20,000 | Capacity: 12,000 |
Broadcasting
The league announced broadcast deal with Zee, including digital streaming on ZEE5.[9]
Results
| Season | Champions | Runners-up | Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025–26 | Howrah Hooghly Warriors | JHR Royal City | 8 |
See also
References
- ^ "Franchise-based inter-district action to rock Bengal football". RevSportz. 8 July 2025.
- ^ "The Bengal Super League officially launched, tournament will develop district football". Anandabazar Patrika. 8 July 2025.
- ^ "Bengal Super League: District-centric professional football league announced". Ei Samay. 8 July 2025.
- ^ a b Mukherjee, Sayan (2025-10-17). "Inaugural Bengal Super League unveils Lothar Matthaus as ambassador". News9live. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
- ^ "Grand official launch of Bengal Super League". Aajkaal. 8 July 2025.
- ^ Bengal Super League (2025-10-17). The maestro of football is here! 🏆 Say hello to our League Ambassador, Lothar Matthäus!. Retrieved 2025-10-17 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Bengal Super League logo unveiled". Sangbad Pratidin. 8 July 2025.
- ^ "Shrachi Sports launches Bengal Super League with Zee". Anando Sangbad Live. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ "Zee to broadcast Bengal Super League". Zee News. 8 July 2025.