![]() | |
Organising body | Indian Football Association Shrachi Sports |
---|---|
Founded | 2025 |
Country | India |
Number of clubs | 8 |
Broadcaster(s) | Zee Sports Zee BanglaSonar ZEE5 |
Website | bengalsuperleague.com |
Current: 2025 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]
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]
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]
The inaugural season is expected to be held across four stadiums. The probable venues are: [1]
The league announced broadcast deal with Zee, including digital streaming on ZEE5. [9]