The Indian Super League （ISL） operates as a professional football league in India, following a franchise-based model similar to other major sports leagues. The season typically runs from October to March, featuring 11 teams representing various cities across the country. Each team plays a double round-robin format during the league stage, facing every other team twice - once at home and once away.
The league uses a points system where teams earn 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss. After the league stage, the top six teams qualify for the playoffs. The playoffs follow a knockout format, culminating in the ISL final where the champion is crowned. The league has helped develop local Indian football talent while also attracting international players and coaches, significantly boosting the popularity of football in the country.
Key features include a salary cap system to maintain competitive balance, mandatory inclusion of Indian players in starting lineups, and strategic timeouts during matches. The league is broadcast across multiple platforms and has partnerships with major brands like Hero MotoCorp, which serves as the title sponsor. The ISL has become an integral part of India\“s sports landscape, working in conjunction with the I-League as part of the country\“s football pyramid system. |
