When it comes to attendance figures, is the I-League better than the ISL?
Jamshedpur and Bengaluru sell most of their tickets among the ISL teams, while Neroca rule the roost for the I-League sides
The I-League after its first gameweek, announced that it had posted good numbers for the first round of matches.
Though early days, its looks like the league may be more popular than ever after two scintillating underdog triumphs in its last two seasons. The Aizawl and Minerva Punjab victories have definitely raised the profile of the league but it remains to be seen whether this momentum can be sustained.
With 10 matches over, the I-League has been able to fill 50% of its seats whereas the Indian Super League claims to have filled 61% of its designated capacities. But a closer look at these capacities proves to be more interesting.
Capacities of ISL stadia
Teams
Official ISL capacities
Stadiums
ATK
68,012
Yuva Bharati Krirangan
Bengaluru FC
25,810
Kanteerava Stadium
Chennaiyin FC
19,691
JLN, Chennai
Delhi Dynamos
14,342
JLN, Delhi
Goa
18,600
Fatorda Stadium
Jamshedpur FC
24,055
JRD Tata Stadium
Kerala Blasters
38,086
JLN, Kochi
Mumbai City
7,790
Andheri Football Stadium
Pune City
10,237
Balewadi Stadium
NorthEast United
23,627
Sarusajai Stadium
Capacities of I-League stadia
Teams
Official I-League capacities
Stadiums
East Bengal, Mohun Bagan
65000
Yuva Bharati Krirangan
Minerva Punjab
8591
Tau Devi Lal Stadium
Gokulam Kerala
40000
EMS Stadium
Chennai City
30000
JLN, Coimbatore
Aizawl FC
20000
Rajiv Gandhi Stadium
Shillong Lajong
20000
JLN, Shillong
Churchill Brothers
8000
Tilak Maidan
Neroca FC
30000
Khuman Lampak Stadium
Real Kashmir FC
10000
TRC Stadium
Indian Arrows
20000
Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar
Indian Arrows
40000
Barabati Stadium, Cuttack
Ticketing capacities and Stadia capacities
It is very important to differentiate between the two capacities, ticketing and in-stadia. The in-stadia capacity usually indicates the maximum number of people a stadium can hold when full.
For example, the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) Stadium or the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata can hold 85,000 post its renovation for the 2017 Under-17 World Cup. While the Indian Super League allows a maximum number of 68,012 tickets to be sold for ATK matches, the I-League pegs it at 65,000.
The ticketing capacity, which includes the total number of tickets printed (made available for sale) and the number of complementary passes offered, can be reduced for various reasons. Security concerns are often listed in closing out entire sections of the stadiums. Some clubs ban spectators from standing or cordon off certain standing sections, reducing capacity.
“Sometimes entire stands are discontinued or only some portions are made available to the general populace. What this does is make sure that certain stands look full due to the clumping together of the crowd so that it looks good on broadcast,” says an ISL insider.
Deviation from full capacity
For stadia of certain ISL teams, these capacities show a huge deviance from their in-stadia capacity. Infact, five of the 10 stadia were also involved in the history of the U17 World Cup, and featured much larger capacities.
Until two days earlier, the ‘About Venue’ sections of the ISL teams featured capacities, which have now been removed. The JLN Stadium in New Delhi had previously displayed a capacity of 14,342 whereas the World Cup renovation had capped maximum capacity at 60,000.
Similarly, the JLN Stadium in Kochi had its capacity reduced from 55,000 to 29,000 due to Fifa’s concerns about the third-tier but had it increased to 38,036 for this year’s ISL. The JLN Stadium in Chennai, a 40,000-seater had its capacity reduced to 19,691.
Average attendances for I-League and ISL teams
Teams
Average attendances
Percentage of official capacities filled
Jamshedpur FC
22012
91.51
Bengaluru FC
18340
88.23
Goa
16319
87.73
Neroca
24414
81.38
Kerala Blasters
30564
80.25
Minerva Punjab
6881
80.1
Pune City
7727
75.48
NorthEast United
17657
74.73
Chennaiyin FC
14136
71.79
Delhi Dynamos
9713
67.72
Mumbai City
5148
66.08
Gokulam Kerala
23636
59.09
Shillong Lajong
9509
47.54
ATK
23636
34.75
Mohun Bagan
18785
28.90
Chennai City
7255
24.18
The I-League however has the in-stadia and ticketing capacity of its stadiums very close to each other. Infact, some stadiums like the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Maulpui, Aizawl have often seen over-crowding, resulting in crowds larger than capacity, due to the enormous popularity of the local team.
The infusion of two very popular teams, Gokulam Kerala and Neroca, has also added to the attendance figures of the I-League. Located in two football crazy regions, Kozhikode and Imphal namely, last season was the first in the top flight for both of these teams and the respective attendances for the first home matches this season was confirmation of the adulation that both receive locally.
The Kolkata giants have seen their attendances dwindle over the years, but the twin Kolkata derbies, scheduled for December 16 and January 27, should be sold out nevertheless. When it comes to attendances and atmosphere, there is no bigger game on Indian soil than the derby.
The jury is out on which league remains the more popular, the I-League or the ISL. While it is still early days for this edition of the I-League, it is undeniable that certain parts of India enjoy the game more than most. This is certainly something for the league committee to keep in mind, while undertaking the re-structuring of the leagues next year.
Opinion: Why I-League continues to hold fort amidst attempts to prop up ISL
Putting aside all the dark forecasts and doomsday calls the nation's top flight continues to thrive even though it seems nobody's priority.
It was a semi-warm afternoon of October in Delhi. Winters were slowly creeping in, but the days continued to be thirsty. We were invited to the official launch of the I-league 2018-19, many claiming it to be the last before the Asian Football Confederation finally dawns curtains on the league that took over from the National Football League in 2007. The Indian Super League’s star was shining bright, brighter than everything else happening in Indian football.
We went. We had to. I-league is still an emotion for the football faithful of India, with due respect to the smoothly-extravagant Indian Super League. Some announcements were made, and 11 teams were introduced. Lalrindika Ralte flagbeared East Bengal while long-time goalkeeper Shilton Paul praised his club Mohun Bagan. An idea struck my mind. It still persists.
Before we get into the story, let’s discuss why the Premier League is the most followed league in the world for a bit. Michael Cox writes for ESPN and points out that ‘It (the Premier League) has unquestionably benefited from occasionally ludicrous levels of hype and the manner in which matches are presented -- the camera angles close to the pitch, the crowd microphones providing a proper atmosphere, the stands generally near capacity -- has given it an advantage over rival European leagues.’
Globally, several writers have also claimed that the close proximity between the top six on the league table is a property no other league provides. Also, the cathartic experience of upsets is more prevalent in the Premier League, when compared to the La Liga or the Bundesliga, leagues that come close to the PL in terms of following trends.
Closer home, and this is not a comparison by any means, have we not seen an almost different winner every season for the last 10-odd years in a league that is close to become defunct in near future? The I-league, this season as well, presents us with a mixed bag of contenders. While NEROCA continues to be in the ring, Chennai City FC, a team that probably had a domino effect with the departure of its mini-talisman Michael Soosairaj, are looking favourites to take the trophy home.
What also works for the league is the abysmally inconsistent trend of its league table. Clubs from India’s football capital are reeling in the bottom half of the table, and look distant from lifting the trophy without some miraculous leap from them and some heartbreaking paralysis from the ones that are dominating at the moment. Retrospectively, Mohun Bagan has managed to lift the trophy just once, while East Bengal hasn’t.
Why then, has this league not got its due? It has its charm, ask any Mumbai FC fan. They had to transfer their allegiance to the Mumbai City FC, and some took a step down to the Mumbai Division football. There is an oldish, Goa-Kolkata charm this league still exudes. Its stories got global recognition, with movies under the radar and books already published on them. Aizawl FC’s 2016-17 dream run, for example.
But let’s go back to what Michael Cox wisely put in his ESPN piece. ‘Occasionally ludicrous levels of hype’ has usually been negatively-publicised events for the league. Improper signing methodologies, controversial travel arrangements, questionable turndowns to play the league and remarks made at official meetings hasn’t helped its marketing team.
It continues - ‘the manner in which matches are presented -- the camera angles close to the pitch, the crowd microphones providing a proper atmosphere, the stands generally near capacity’ aren’t something that has been implemented in the league. The display quality, a basic output that reaches a viewer, is comparatively lower than a league that started five years ago. This has worked in its disfavour? A lot of heads say yes in an unofficial conversation I had at the lunch table after the I-league launch event.
What, then, can be done to revive the league that still entertains, if only you follow it? Better arrangements for its fans, a full-stop to the step-motherly treatment meted out on it by the All India Football Federation, and better money influx from the markets - certainly another key point. Its ubiquitous worldwide, and should see the light of the day here in India as well, but ask a six-year-old in a North Indian town, and he’d name cricket as his favourite sport. This needs to change.
Taking everything into consideration, the quality of football and the amazing goals that Rana Gharami, Jayesh Rane and Raynier Fernandes have scored in the ISL find their way back home to the I-league, a league that stands questioned in a corner. The competition on the pitch, though, remains unquestioned, and if you do follow it, there’s no better catharsis than this.
Q. How different according to you, is the ISL from the I-League? Tell us through the medium of your time at BFC and MCFC.
In ISL, the grounds are extremely good. Facilities are present in the ISL, unlike the I-League, where there's not a lot available.
The presence of better coaches is teaching us a lot. A great pool of foreign have been coming to the scene, which is imporivng our game. Thus, it's better in the ISL.
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When it comes to attendance figures, is the I-League better than the ISL?
Jamshedpur and Bengaluru sell most of their tickets among the ISL teams, while Neroca rule the roost for the I-League sides
The I-League after its first gameweek, announced that it had posted good numbers for the first round of matches.
Though early days, its looks like the league may be more popular than ever after two scintillating underdog triumphs in its last two seasons. The Aizawl and Minerva Punjab victories have definitely raised the profile of the league but it remains to be seen whether this momentum can be sustained.
With 10 matches over, the I-League has been able to fill 50% of its seats whereas the Indian Super League claims to have filled 61% of its designated capacities. But a closer look at these capacities proves to be more interesting.
Capacities of ISL stadia
Capacities of I-League stadia
Ticketing capacities and Stadia capacities
It is very important to differentiate between the two capacities, ticketing and in-stadia. The in-stadia capacity usually indicates the maximum number of people a stadium can hold when full.
For example, the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) Stadium or the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata can hold 85,000 post its renovation for the 2017 Under-17 World Cup. While the Indian Super League allows a maximum number of 68,012 tickets to be sold for ATK matches, the I-League pegs it at 65,000.
The ticketing capacity, which includes the total number of tickets printed (made available for sale) and the number of complementary passes offered, can be reduced for various reasons. Security concerns are often listed in closing out entire sections of the stadiums. Some clubs ban spectators from standing or cordon off certain standing sections, reducing capacity.
“Sometimes entire stands are discontinued or only some portions are made available to the general populace. What this does is make sure that certain stands look full due to the clumping together of the crowd so that it looks good on broadcast,” says an ISL insider.
Deviation from full capacity
For stadia of certain ISL teams, these capacities show a huge deviance from their in-stadia capacity. Infact, five of the 10 stadia were also involved in the history of the U17 World Cup, and featured much larger capacities.
Until two days earlier, the ‘About Venue’ sections of the ISL teams featured capacities, which have now been removed. The JLN Stadium in New Delhi had previously displayed a capacity of 14,342 whereas the World Cup renovation had capped maximum capacity at 60,000.
Similarly, the JLN Stadium in Kochi had its capacity reduced from 55,000 to 29,000 due to Fifa’s concerns about the third-tier but had it increased to 38,036 for this year’s ISL. The JLN Stadium in Chennai, a 40,000-seater had its capacity reduced to 19,691.
Average attendances for I-League and ISL teams
The I-League however has the in-stadia and ticketing capacity of its stadiums very close to each other. Infact, some stadiums like the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Maulpui, Aizawl have often seen over-crowding, resulting in crowds larger than capacity, due to the enormous popularity of the local team.
The infusion of two very popular teams, Gokulam Kerala and Neroca, has also added to the attendance figures of the I-League. Located in two football crazy regions, Kozhikode and Imphal namely, last season was the first in the top flight for both of these teams and the respective attendances for the first home matches this season was confirmation of the adulation that both receive locally.
The Kolkata giants have seen their attendances dwindle over the years, but the twin Kolkata derbies, scheduled for December 16 and January 27, should be sold out nevertheless. When it comes to attendances and atmosphere, there is no bigger game on Indian soil than the derby.
The jury is out on which league remains the more popular, the I-League or the ISL. While it is still early days for this edition of the I-League, it is undeniable that certain parts of India enjoy the game more than most. This is certainly something for the league committee to keep in mind, while undertaking the re-structuring of the leagues next year.
Opinion: Why I-League continues to hold fort amidst attempts to prop up ISL
It was a semi-warm afternoon of October in Delhi. Winters were slowly creeping in, but the days continued to be thirsty. We were invited to the official launch of the I-league 2018-19, many claiming it to be the last before the Asian Football Confederation finally dawns curtains on the league that took over from the National Football League in 2007. The Indian Super League’s star was shining bright, brighter than everything else happening in Indian football.
We went. We had to. I-league is still an emotion for the football faithful of India, with due respect to the smoothly-extravagant Indian Super League. Some announcements were made, and 11 teams were introduced. Lalrindika Ralte flagbeared East Bengal while long-time goalkeeper Shilton Paul praised his club Mohun Bagan. An idea struck my mind. It still persists.
Before we get into the story, let’s discuss why the Premier League is the most followed league in the world for a bit. Michael Cox writes for ESPN and points out that ‘It (the Premier League) has unquestionably benefited from occasionally ludicrous levels of hype and the manner in which matches are presented -- the camera angles close to the pitch, the crowd microphones providing a proper atmosphere, the stands generally near capacity -- has given it an advantage over rival European leagues.’
Globally, several writers have also claimed that the close proximity between the top six on the league table is a property no other league provides. Also, the cathartic experience of upsets is more prevalent in the Premier League, when compared to the La Liga or the Bundesliga, leagues that come close to the PL in terms of following trends.
Closer home, and this is not a comparison by any means, have we not seen an almost different winner every season for the last 10-odd years in a league that is close to become defunct in near future? The I-league, this season as well, presents us with a mixed bag of contenders. While NEROCA continues to be in the ring, Chennai City FC, a team that probably had a domino effect with the departure of its mini-talisman Michael Soosairaj, are looking favourites to take the trophy home.
What also works for the league is the abysmally inconsistent trend of its league table. Clubs from India’s football capital are reeling in the bottom half of the table, and look distant from lifting the trophy without some miraculous leap from them and some heartbreaking paralysis from the ones that are dominating at the moment. Retrospectively, Mohun Bagan has managed to lift the trophy just once, while East Bengal hasn’t.Why then, has this league not got its due? It has its charm, ask any Mumbai FC fan. They had to transfer their allegiance to the Mumbai City FC, and some took a step down to the Mumbai Division football. There is an oldish, Goa-Kolkata charm this league still exudes. Its stories got global recognition, with movies under the radar and books already published on them. Aizawl FC’s 2016-17 dream run, for example.
But let’s go back to what Michael Cox wisely put in his ESPN piece. ‘Occasionally ludicrous levels of hype’ has usually been negatively-publicised events for the league. Improper signing methodologies, controversial travel arrangements, questionable turndowns to play the league and remarks made at official meetings hasn’t helped its marketing team.
It continues - ‘the manner in which matches are presented -- the camera angles close to the pitch, the crowd microphones providing a proper atmosphere, the stands generally near capacity’ aren’t something that has been implemented in the league. The display quality, a basic output that reaches a viewer, is comparatively lower than a league that started five years ago. This has worked in its disfavour? A lot of heads say yes in an unofficial conversation I had at the lunch table after the I-league launch event.
What, then, can be done to revive the league that still entertains, if only you follow it? Better arrangements for its fans, a full-stop to the step-motherly treatment meted out on it by the All India Football Federation, and better money influx from the markets - certainly another key point. Its ubiquitous worldwide, and should see the light of the day here in India as well, but ask a six-year-old in a North Indian town, and he’d name cricket as his favourite sport. This needs to change.
Taking everything into consideration, the quality of football and the amazing goals that Rana Gharami, Jayesh Rane and Raynier Fernandes have scored in the ISL find their way back home to the I-league, a league that stands questioned in a corner. The competition on the pitch, though, remains unquestioned, and if you do follow it, there’s no better catharsis than this.
Q. How different according to you, is the ISL from the I-League? Tell us through the medium of your time at BFC and MCFC.
In ISL, the grounds are extremely good. Facilities are present in the ISL, unlike the I-League, where there's not a lot available.
The presence of better coaches is teaching us a lot. A great pool of foreign have been coming to the scene, which is imporivng our game. Thus, it's better in the ISL.