The excitement is building by the day and there is just four days to go for the start of the third edition of the Indian Super League. Eight teams will fight it out to emerge as the champions of India's premier football tournament.
ISL has grown in a stature in its first two seasons and in last year’s season, the ISL was fourth in the average attendance in stadiums in leagues around the world. All eight teams have a huge and loyal fanbase who support their players in the stadium and also off the field on social media. Many rivalries have emerged in ISL too.
Let's take a look at the comparison of the number of supporters on and off the pitch. We have compiled the data from their average stadium attendance from last year, and their social media reach.
#8 Delhi Dynamos FC
After missing out on a top-four spot in the last season, Delhi will look to go one step further this time around under the leadership of Gianluca Zambrotta. Florent Malouda is the marquee player for the Dynamos this season.
Stadium: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi
Stadium Attendance
Capacity: 60,000
Highest: 18,268
Lowest: 13,000
Average: 18,771
Total: 131,400
Social media following
Facebook - Delhi Dynamos FC: 645,820 likes
Twitter - @DelhiDynamos: 60,000 followers
#7 FC Pune City
The Stallions too have not been able to break into the top four and have suffered a big blow with a season-ending injury to their marquee player, Eidur Gudjohnsen. But under experienced manager Antonio Habas, expectations will be sky high.
Stadium: Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Shivaji Stadium, Pune
Stadium Attendance
Capacity: 12,000
Highest: 8,427
Lowest: 7,243
Average: 8,685
Total: 60,796
Social media following
Facebook - FC Pune City: 881,622 likes
Twitter - @FCPuneCity: 75,100 followers
#6 Mumbai City FC
With two disappointing seasons, the club and fans alike would target reaching the playoffs this time around. City have done a complete overhaul, with a new manager arriving in Alexandre Guimaraes and superstar marquee player Diego Forlan.
The club will also play their home games at the Mumbai Football Arena at the Andheri Sports Complex instead of the DY Patil Stadium.
Stadium: Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai
Stadium Attendance
Capacity: 18,000
Last year highest: 28,000
Last year lowest: 18,197
Last year average: 22,195
Total: 1,77,556
Social media following:
Facebook - Mumbai City FC: 554, 830 likes
Twitter - @MumbaiCityFC: 66,640 followers
#5 NorthEast United
The Guwahati-based side is yet to play in the knockout stages and are aiming for a blockbuster season under Nelo Vingada. FC Pune City's former midfielder, Didier Zokora is United's marquee player for ISL 2016.
Stadium: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium
Stadium Attendance
Capacity: 30,000
Highest: 31,770
Lowest: 25,530
Average: 24,588
Total: 172,115
Social media following
Facebook - North East United FC: 254,440 likes
Twitter - @NorthEastUtd: 91,200 followers
#4 Chennaiyin FC
The current champions will be looking to defend their title under manager, Marco Materazzi. Chennaiyin are one of the most consistent sides in ISL and have John Arne Riise as their marquee player for the third season of the ISL.
Stadium: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai
Stadium Attendance
Capacity: 40,000
Highest: 25,317
Lowest: 16,537
Average: 22,767
Total: 159,372
Social media following
Facebook - Chennaiyin FC : 395,607 like
Twitter - @ChrnnaiyinFC: 1,27,575 followers
#3 FC Goa
Managed by one of the legends of the game, Zico, FC Goa will look to have another good season under the Brazilian after losing in the final to Chennai. Goa have more or less the same squad that enthralled the ISL last year and will be led by another Brazilian, Lucio.
Stadium: Fatorda Stadium
Stadium Attendance
Capacity: 19,000
Highest: 19,752
Lowest: 16,662
Average: 18,750
Total: 111,421
Social media following:
Facebook - FC Goa: 407,797 likes
Twitter - @FCGoa: 1,98,356 followers
#2 Atletico De Kolkata
Atletico de Kolkata won the inaugural season of the ISL and will be confident of another trophy after a major overhaul ahead of the new season. Managed by former Villarreal coach, Jose Molina, Kolkata have Portugal forward, Helder Postiga as the marquee player for ISL 2016.
Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
Stadium Attendance
Capacity: 68,000
Highest: 65,000
Lowest: 21,500
Average: 42,903
Total: 300,319
Social media following
Facebook - Atletico De Kolkata: 976,645 likes
Twitter - @AtleticoDeKolkata: 2,15,438 followers
#1 Kerala Blasters
Having reached the final in the first season, Kerala will look to bounce back after a dismal second stint in the ISL. Aaron Hughes, the experienced Northern Ireland defender is Kerala's marquee player and will be managed by Steve Coppell.
Stadium: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi
Stadium Attendance
Capacity: 60,000
Highest: 61,323
Lowest: 34,657
Average: 52,008
Total: 364,054
Social media following
Facebook - Kerala Blasters: 804,668 likes
Twitter - @KeralaBlasters: 245,513 followers
