New Delhi: The Indian Super League (ISL), the country’s biggest football league, will start its weekend doubleheaders at 9:30 p.m. in the forthcoming 2021-22 season.
Though the regular weekday game will begin at 7:30 p.m., the weekend doubleheaders, which formerly began at 5:30 p.m., will now begin at 9:30 p.m.
PTI has been informed that the ISL, which is organized and promoted by Football Sports Development Limited, will try for a late evening weekend kick-off for the first time in its seven-year history.
“The league had informed clubs on the possible change to the weekend double header start,” confirmed an ISL club source.
“From players point of view, the 9:30 pm will be a much-welcomed decision as it will bring respite from the sweltering humidity,” the source added.
“The league is likely to announce 2021-22 fixture by early next week,” while confirming a change in the weekend doubleheader, said another source.
ISL had piqued the interest of Indian football fans and the worldwide football industry as a viable league in the cricket-obsessed country.
ISL, which began in 2014 as a brief 11-week event, has grown in popularity across India over the years, bringing about significant modifications to the format and competition, and earning the title of India’s finest football league.
The ISL presently spans from November to March, with 115 matches including 11 clubs.
The league received recognition in early March for being the first live sports event to start and finish a five-month competition in a bio-secured bubble in Goa.
The league has once again opted for Goa to host the forthcoming 2021-22 season, which will begin on November 19. Until March 2022, the event will be staged behind closed doors in three venues.
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