ISL 2017: Inaugural match makes records

The opening tie of the fourth edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) between Atletico de Kolkata and Kerala Blasters got 25 million total TV impressions and registered an impressive 59% growth over last season’s opening game.

A sea of yellow: The JN stadium was packed to the rafters with Kerala Blasters fans for the season’s first ISL match in Kochi on Friday.

The inaugural match of the fourth edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) between defending champion Atletico de Kolkata and last year’s runner-up Kerala Blasters received 25 million total TV impressions and registered an impressive 59% growth over last season’s opening game.

The game recorded a total of 7.4 million average impressions; which is double of what the opening tie of the FIFA Under 17 World Cup between India and USA received.

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“We are thrilled with the response that the ISL is getting from football fans across India. The growth demonstrated is across urban, rural and digital audiences which indeed proves that future hai football ! We are looking forward to having an exhilarating journey on this biggest ever season of the league,” said Sanjay Gupta, MD of Star India.

This edition features two new teams – Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC – and a total of 95 matches. Each of the 10 teams will play in a home-and-away format, followed by two-legged semifinals and the final in March.