NEW DELHI: The I-League may have second tier billing to the Indian Super League, but the eleventh season of the tournament, as was the case in its previous edition, will likely go down to the wire.
With the League entering its final round, the stage is set for the epic showdown as three teams vie for the title and the drama has not been lost on the fans. There has been a 58% increase in in-stadia attendance – the average attendance rising from 6,500 spectators in a match (last edition) to 10,210 fans this season.
Kushal Das, general secretary, All India Football Federation, expressed his delight on the rise in in-stadia attendance,
“It’s always delightful to watch supporters thronging the stadium in support of their favourite teams and supporters are an integral part in the football ecosystem.”
“The positive slope of the curve depicts the positive intent of the supporters who are keenly following the Hero I-League”, he added.
“I-League’s unpredictability and competitiveness this season are two vital aspects which kept the fans glued to it and the rise in in-stadia attendance shows that Indian football has hit the right notes with the fans.”
Speaking on the positive development, I-League CEO Sunando Dhar noted: “The I-League has always been a harbinger of football in India and the stadium attendances prove what we have been able to accomplish.”
The footballing hotbeds of India have never shied away from thronging the stadium and Neroca from the state of Manipur saw a mammoth average attendance of 24,494 while 35,285 was their record attendance in a single match.
They are being closely followed by East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, whose average attendances have been 16,312 and 15,936 respectively.
Not to forget the Kolkata derby was witnessed by over 100,000 people in the stadium over the course of two legs – the first leg being attended by 64,360 people while the return-leg was attended by 52,951 supporters in the stands.
Additionally, I-League 2017-18 saw an average attendance of 9,201 in Gokulam Kerala FC’s matches and an average attendance of 8,938 in Chennai City FC’s.
