In a major development for the growth of women's football in India,
The collaboration aims to elevate the profile of women's football by focusing on audience expansion, enhanced visibility for clubs, and the attraction of new commercial investment. By managing the broadcast and digital engagement strategies, Capri Sports intends to build a sustainable platform that supports professional development for players and creates greater value for all stakeholders involved in the sport.
Building a Sustainable Future for Indian Women's Football
The 15-year commitment is designed to bridge the gap between grassroots participation and elite professional competition. This initiative complements the recent launch of Nova Sports, a grassroots program by Capri Sports that seeks to engage 1.5 million girls across India over the next decade. By integrating this grassroots pathway with the top-tier IWL and IWL 2, the organization aims to create a cohesive structure for talent development.
Jinisha Sharma, Director and Promoter at Capri Sports, emphasized that the partnership is rooted in the belief that social impact and commercial viability must progress in tandem. She noted that the objective is to provide players with professional environments and clear pathways, while simultaneously investing in fan engagement and storytelling to bring more brands into the fold. The upcoming edition of the IWL, which begins on October 15, 2026, will serve as a key milestone, featuring eight clubs competing across 56 matches in various host cities.
Strategic Alignment with AIFF Objectives
AIFF leadership has welcomed the partnership as a vital step toward professionalizing the club structure. President Kalyan Chaubey highlighted the recent progress of national teams at the Asian level throughout 2026 and noted that the next logical step is to replicate that success at the club level. The federation believes that a long-term commercial partner will provide the necessary stability to build upon existing momentum, such as the growth seen in the ASMITA leagues and youth competitions.
Apurv Gupta, Head of Contact Sports at Capri Sports, reiterated the organization's focus on creating lasting value. He stated that the team plans to work closely with the AIFF, clubs, and players to ensure the leagues become aspirational platforms. This move follows Capri Sports' previous experience in the women's sports landscape, notably through their involvement with the UP Warriorz in the Women's Premier League, providing the firm with a strong foundation to manage the commercial complexities of the Indian football market.
