HYDERABAD FC, the 2021–22 Indian Super League (ISL) champions, are officially relocating to Delhi and will compete under a new identity, Sporting Club Delhi.
The club, owned by the BC Jindal Group, marks the return of a Delhi-based team to India’s top-flight football after a six-year gap.
Delhi, once home to Delhi Dynamos, has been without an ISL representative since the franchise moved to Bhubaneswar in 2019 to become Odisha FC. While Punjab FC played matches at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Delhi, the capital’s football fans have long awaited a home team to rally behind, with Delhi FC in the I-League being their only outlet.
Hyderabad FC was formed in 2019 following the dissolution of FC Pune City. Hyderabad FC endured a challenging start, finishing bottom in their debut ISL season. Their fortunes changed with the arrival of Spanish coach Manolo Márquez (now with FC Goa), who masterminded their rise to the 2021–22 ISL title, one of the most inspiring turnarounds in the league’s history.
However, the club’s struggles resurfaced in the 2024–25 season, where they finished 12th in a 13-team league with just four wins in 24 matches. Off-field instability compounded their woes, as head coach Thanboi Singto departed mid-season, replaced by stand-in coach Shameel Chembakath. The takeover by Jindal Football, part of the BC Jindal Group, has now set the stage for a complete reboot.
Sporting Club Delhi has informed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) of its long-term vision to establish a club that not only competes at the highest level but also nurtures local talent and connects deeply with Delhi’s new generation of fans. The club has already secured land in New Delhi to serve as its operational base and grassroots training hub.
Sporting Club Delhi will make its official debut in the Super Cup 2025 under the new identity.
