2017-18 is a season like never before with the two leagues running simultaneously. As the business end of the regular season is getting nearer trends are becoming clear.
Top level summary:
The cash rich ISL, aided with better schedule and prime time slots shows an average attendance of 15,433 in 71 games; down 23% from 2016-17. If we run the similar calculation among the “Original 8”; attendance is down 29% from 2016-17.
Poor cousin i-League, mostly surviving on steadfast fan support shows an average attendance of 10,039 in 66 games; up 96% from 2016-17. If we run the similar calculation among the “Existing 7”; attendance is up 65% from 2016-17
Stadium capacity reduction for FIFA U-17 WC and simultaneous scheduling played a part, as did change of timing of i-League. The vastness of Indian market means there are several local factors that came into play which is discussed in later half of this article. 2017-18 will be remembered for the blockbuster entry of NEROCA FC and Jamshedpur FC who combine to take a share of 18% of all stadium attendance.
ISL teams:
1. Kerala Blasters (Verdict: Blockbuster) Manjappada rules the attendance table once more, recording highest average attendance. Attendance was down 35% from last edition and is primarily attributed to capacity reduction of the stadium.
2. Jamshedpur FC (Verdict: Blockbuster) Made an extremely successful debut both on and off the field. It clearly opens up possibility of a virtually untapped market of industrial captive cities like Rourkella or Bhilai. AIFF and IMGR should really think about expanding the game into these areas.
3. FC Goa (Verdict: Star) Beautiful Goa renewed its love for the beautiful game with almost an identical attendance compared to last year.
4. Bengaluru FC (Verdict: Star) The Blues were the first team to make the transition from i-League to ISL and were again spurred by the on-field success. Compared to last season, their stadium attendance is up 93%, which shows how better promotion and a better organized league can promote higher gate sales.
5. Chennaiyin FC (Verdict: Star) Chennai still remains a nascent market for the game. Attendance was down 29% from last edition, primarily from stadium capacity reduction. It still remains healthy and is steadfastly making a loyal base.
6. ATK (Verdict: Falling apart) For ATK, we need to look beyond numbers. Average attendance is up 27% from last year. Change in venue from a very small Rabindra Sarobar to VYBK has a role to play. For sanity check, we have to tread another year back when VYBK was the venue; and compared to 2015-16, attendance is down 61%. Some of the initial attendance numbers were vehemently debated and free sops were offered to attendees. The last few games though make it clear – the City of Joy finds no joy in this new side. End of holiday season showed that the team failed to put up a loyal base outside fun loving one-off party goers. In one of the recent games recorded attendance was 4,292 (72% lower than its average).
7. NE United FC (Verdict: Falling apart): This was the first year when this “combined” regional team came into competition with its regions counterparts. The verdict is clear – the football powerhouse of the country demands its separate teams from states. There is a 65% drop in attendance from previous season.
8. FC Pune City (Verdict: Star): This place deserves a larger stadium. The team holds on to its numbers. Over the years, Pune had seen the demise of Pune FC, Bharat FC and DSK Shivajians. The glitz of ISL is successful in building a base; unlike the other three teams mentioned.
9. Delhi Dynamos (Verdict: Laggard): It probably will be cruel to put Delhi Dynamos in “Falling apart” category even though there is a 54% reduction in attendance. Firstly, Delhi suffered from smog debacle and then the team’s performance was not good enough this year.
10. Mumbai City FC ((Verdict: Laggard): Mumbai is steadily losing its support base. This year it is down another 9%. The team owners need to move its base back to DY Patil, if possible. This mega city’s potential remains unfulfilled probably because of stadium location.
i-League Teams:
1. NEROCA (Verdict: Blockbuster): NEROCA is the largest story of the year. Manipur is a traditional powerhouse in Indian football for over a decade and this year’s hugely successful debut of this team shows that the country missed this opportunity for far too long.
2. Mohun Bagan (Verdict: Star): With a 118% increase in average attendance (primarily from venue change); the traditional powerhouse of Indian football shows that its support base remain intact. A transition into ISL may propel attendance to 30K+ zone.
3. East Bengal (Verdict: Star): With a 75% increase in average attendance (primarily from venue change); the traditional powerhouse of Indian football shows that its support base remain intact. A transition into ISL may propel attendance to 30K+ zone.
4. Chennai City FC (Verdict: Emerging): Even with a shift in venue, the team did extremely well in a nascent market. Much like Jamshedpur (but to a lesser extent), underscores the value of Tier 2 city market for the game.
5. Gokulam Kerala (Verdict: Emerging): For a new team, securing an average attendance of 8.5K is indeed creditable. Another story of untapped smaller city market.
6. Shillong Lajong (Verdict: Laggard): Incredibly, Lajong had a reduction of 29% in attendance. A few of its games were scheduled at weekday 5:30 PM slot. Winter may be another factor; as traditionally i-League was played in a better climate for attendees.
7. Minerva Punjab FC (Verdict: Emerging): Both on and off the field, Minerva is a success story for the year. Even in a harsher climate and few 8:00 PM starts, the team produced 79% increase in attendance (albeit on a low base).
8. Aizawl FC (Verdict: Laggard): The fans were expected to throng the stadium to support the Champions. However, attendance was down 19% from last year. Several of their games were on weekday 2:00 PM start which is far from ideal for spectators. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Aizawl may be withdrawing from top flight next year and it will be another sad day for Indian football. The abundance of talent in Mizoram deserves a top flight team and better facility with flood lights.
9. Churchill Brothers (Verdict: Laggard): The team failed to inspire its supporters to come to ground and cheer from them. It may be a bi-product of ‘building a team’ very late in the game. To an extent, this goes to show how a wonderful team has been systematically starved to extinction and is currently on life support.
10. Indian Arrows (Verdict:Emerging): The new experiment by AIFF has shown it can attract crowd mostly because of there popularity due to U17 WC. IA played in 3 different stadiums this season from GMC athletic stadium to Ambedkar stadium to Tilak maidan. With a average of 2,984 they are doing good.
All India Football Federation Senior Vice-President Mr. Subrata Dutta chaired AIFF League Committee meeting at AIFF Headquarters, Football House in New Delhi on Monday (February 19, 2018).
Besides Mr. Dutta, Deputy Chairman Mr. Lalnghinglova Hmar and all other members -- Mr. BK Roka, Mr. Anil Kumar and Mr. Chirag Tanna -- except Mr. Rochak Langer and Mr. Souter Vaz attended the meeting.
AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das, I-League CEO Mr. Sunando Dhar, AIFF COO Mr. Kishore Taid and AIFF AGS Competitions Mr. Anil Kamat were also present.
SUPER CUP: The Committee decided on the schedule of the inaugural Super Cup. The qualifiers for the Super Cup are to be played between March 12, 2018 and March 31, 2018 while the final round will be held between March 31, 2018 to April 22, 2018.
The schedule will be finalised keeping in mind the AFC Cup commitments of Aizawl FC and JSW Bengaluru FC (provided they qualify for the Group Stage) and the venue is to be decided between Cuttack and Kochi after AIFF inspections.
The number of foreign players to be registered for the Super Cup was discussed and a final decision will be taken after a final discussion with all stakeholders.
The tournament will be played on a knock-out basis among 16 teams. The top six teams of the Hero I-League and the Hero Indian Super League would be granted a direct entry into the round of 16, while the bottom-placed teams from both the leagues would be playing a play-off to decide on the remaining 4 spots.
2ND DIVISION LEAGUE: Meanwhile, the 2nd division league will be divided into two phases – the preliminary and the final. In the preliminary stage, 18 teams will be divided into three groups where all matches would be played on a home and away basis.
The winners of each group plus the best second-placed team would qualify for the final round. However, if reserve teams of ISL clubs finish as winners or runners-up in any group, the position will be passed on onto the next non-ISL team.
The final round will be played at a central venue, the winners of which would be promoted to the next tier of Indian Football.
Each club can register maximum 3 foreign players for the 2nd division league out of which one player has to be a national of an AFC Member Association.
AIFF YOUTH LEAGUES: It was also discussed and decided to initiate age-group leagues in the states under the State Associations. The top teams of each age-group would be able to participate in AIFF age-group leagues.
The winners of each group plus the best second-placed team would qualify
for the final round. However, if reserve teams of ISL clubs finish as
winners or runners-up in any group, the position will be passed on onto
the next non-ISL team.
The number of foreign players to be registered for the Super Cup was
discussed and a final decision will be taken after a final discussion
with all stakeholders.
Q:- Why are they playing 2nd Division? Even if they win, they will not progress beyond group stage in 2nd division. What is the motivation of players?
Q:- Why Foreign players number has to be discussed now? Whether Circus franchise wishes to pay salary to their retired foreign mercenaries for Super Cup or not?
Comments
10. Indian Arrows (Verdict:Emerging): The new experiment by AIFF has shown it can attract crowd mostly because of there popularity due to U17 WC. IA played in 3 different stadiums this season from GMC athletic stadium to Ambedkar stadium to Tilak maidan. With a average of 2,984 they are doing good.
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The Bengaluru FC and FC Pune City custodians could well represent India's present and future...The number of foreign players to be registered for the Super Cup was discussed and a final decision will be taken after a final discussion with all stakeholders.
Q:- Why are they playing 2nd Division? Even if they win, they will not progress beyond group stage in 2nd division. What is the motivation of players?
Q:- Why Foreign players number has to be discussed now? Whether Circus franchise wishes to pay salary to their retired foreign mercenaries for Super Cup or not?