Get ready, football fans! The Super League Kerala (SLK) is back for its highly anticipated second season, kicking off this Thursday. The opening match will be a thrilling repeat of last year’s final, with reigning champions Calicut FC taking on Forca Kochi FC at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode.
The SLK is quickly changing the narrative around football in Kerala, transforming it from a struggling scene into a vibrant hub for the sport. This league is a true game-changer, drawing immense attention thanks to its star-studded ownership, including popular film actors like Prithviraj Sukumaran, Nivin Pauly, Kunchacko Boban, Basil Joseph, and Asif Ali, who also serve as enthusiastic brand ambassadors. Beyond the glamour, the league also boasts a diverse group of owners from politics, technology, business, and even royalty, showcasing broad support for its mission.
A major boost for the league comes from a significant five-year, ₹100-crore deal with Sports.com, an arm of the USA-based SEGG media group. This partnership is expected to dramatically increase live viewership, aiming to surpass the impressive 13 million views achieved during its inaugural season.
Fans can catch all the action live on Sony Sports Ten 2 and DD Malayalam channels. A key change for this season is that all six participating teams will play on their dedicated home grounds. For instance, Kannur Warriors will now play at the Jawahar Municipal Corporation Stadium in Kannur, and Thrissur Magic FC will move to the Corporation Stadium in Thrissur, a shift from their previous shared venue in Manjeri. Additionally, Forca Kochi has relocated its home base from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to the scenic Maharaja’s College ground.
The competitive spirit is high, with teams introducing new coaches and players for the upcoming season. Notably, Kannur Warriors is the only team to retain its coach, Manuel Sanchez Murias from Spain. Fellow Spaniards Miguel Corral and Miquel Plana will lead Malappuram FC and Forca Kerala, respectively, bringing their international experience to the league.
New leadership is set to ignite some teams: Russian Andrey Chernyshov is tasked with turning around Thrissur Magic FC’s performance, while Englishman James McAloon takes the helm at Kombans FC. Defending champions Calicut FC will be guided by Argentine coach Ever Demalde.
Among the 36 international players joining the league, former ISL sensation Roy Krishna stands out as a major draw. The talented Fijian forward will be playing for Malappuram FC, a team eager to improve on its previous season’s performance.
The SLK is a fantastic platform for approximately 100 Kerala-based footballers to display their skills. A crucial rule requiring teams to cap foreign players at four and include two developmental players from Kerala directly supports the nurturing and growth of local talent. The tournament will feature FIFA-approved ‘Saho’ balls and is scheduled to wrap up on December 14.