The Bengal Super League (BSL) is a professional football league in the Indian state of West Bengal, organized by the Indian Football Association. Established in July 2025, the league features district-based franchise teams and is aimed at developing grassroots football, creating a structured pathway for district talents, professionalizing the sport in Bengal, establishing a feeder system for national leagues, and boosting infrastructure, fan engagement, and commercial investment in rural ecosystems.
History The league was officially launched on 8 July 2025 at the Great Eastern Hotel, by the Indian Football Association in association with sports management company Shrachi Sports, under a ten-year agreement between the two organizations. In October 2025, the BSL announced Lothar Matthäus as the league ambassador.
Format The BSL follows a model similar to the ISL. Eight teams representing different districts were announced for the inaugural season. Each team is allowed a 25-member squad. The competition features a total of 61 matches, including double round-robin fixtures, semifinals, and a final. Each team builds its squad through a player draft system. Teams are required to field at least seven state-grown players, including U-19 footballers, in their playing XI. Only two foreign players and two national-level outstation players are permitted in each team.
Teams
TeamCityBurdwan BlastersBardhamanHowrah Hooghly WarriorsHowrahJHR Royal CityMaldaKopa Tigers BirbhumBolpurMedinipurMidnaporeNorth 24 ParganasNaihatiNorth Bengal UnitedSiliguriSundarban Bengal AutoCanning
Stadiums Burdwan BlastersHowrah Hooghly WarriorsJHR Royal CityKopa Tigers BirbhumSpandan StadiumSailen Manna StadiumDSA StadiumBerhampore StadiumBolpur StadiumCapacity: 4,000Capacity: 15,000Capacity: 15,000Capacity: 5,000Capacity: 15,000MedinipurNorth 24 ParganasNorth Bengal UnitedKopa Tigers Birbhum,Howrah Hooghly WarriorsSundarban Bengal AutoSri Aurobindo StadiumBankimanjali StadiumKanchenjunga StadiumKalyani StadiumCanning Sports ComplexCapacity: 10,000Capacity: 25,000Capacity: 40,000Capacity: 20,000Capacity: 12,000
Broadcasting The league announced broadcast deal with Zee, including digital streaming on ZEE5.
Results SeasonChampionsRunners-upTeams2025–26Howrah Hooghly WarriorsJHR Royal City8
See also Football in West Bengal Calcutta Football League Premier League Soccer
References