In a major development for Indian football, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has signed a commercial rights agreement with Shrachi Sports Endeavour Private Limited, enhancing the visibility and reach of the country’s premier football competitions. This strategic partnership will ensure the production and broadcasting of a total of 338 matches during the 2024-25 season.
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Broadcasting Football to the Masses
The agreement encompasses several high-profile tournaments, including the I-League, I-League 2, Indian Women’s League (IWL), Senior National Football Championship (Santosh Trophy), and the Senior Women’s National Football Championship (Rajmata Jijabai Trophy). The 338 matches scheduled for the season will be broadcast across multiple platforms, offering unprecedented coverage for Indian football.
As part of this deal, all matches from these senior men’s and women’s competitions will be available for streaming on the SSEN app. Additionally, 110 of the 132 I-League matches will be aired live on the Sony Sports Network, offering fans high-quality coverage and extensive access to the league’s action.
Bringing National and International Exposure
AIFF Secretary General, Mr. Anilkumar, expressed his optimism about the partnership: “This significant partnership will help Indian football to get the necessary exposure.” With Shrachi Sports involved in production and broadcasting, the agreement is set to elevate the profile of the game in India, drawing attention from both local and global audiences.
Shrachi Sports’ Commitment to Indian Football
Mr. Rahul Todi, Managing Director of Shrachi Sports, emphasized the historical importance of the partnership: “It is indeed a historic day for Shrachi Sports to be partnering with AIFF. This will provide a platform for men and women players to showcase their talents to national and international audiences with high-quality HD content.”
He further highlighted Shrachi Sports’ dedication to India’s growing sports ecosystem, underscoring the brand’s commitment to promoting football and contributing to its future growth.
Through this alliance, Shrachi Sports aims to deliver top-notch content that will not only bring professional football to millions of viewers but also inspire the next generation of players across the country. With high-definition broadcasts and extensive reach, this partnership promises to boost the game’s popularity in India and beyond.
India to Make Historic Debut in FIFAe World Cup 2024
India is gearing up for an exciting milestone in the world of esports as they make their debut in the FIFAe World Cup 2024, featuring eFootball. The prestigious event will take place from December 9 to 12, 2024, at the SEF Arena, Boulevard Riyadh City, in Saudi Arabia. This World Cup, part of the FIFAe Finals 2024, will showcase competitions on both console and mobile platforms, offering an international stage for the best eFootball players around the globe.
India will be represented by four talented gamers: Chinmay Sahoo, Ibrahim Gulrez, and Saksham Rattan in the Console event, while Danial Shakeel Patel will compete as India’s sole representative in the Mobile event.
The Path to the FIFAe World Cup
The journey to the FIFAe World Cup for the Indian team began with intense domestic qualifiers in October 2024. Players from across the country competed in three rounds of in-game events to secure a spot in the global tournament. The top athletes, based on their FIFAe Ranking following the online qualifiers, were invited to participate in online trials. From there, the final squad was selected.
Group Stage and Competition Details
India has been drawn into Group A for both the Console and Mobile events. The teams will face off against formidable opponents, with the schedule as follows:
- Console Event (December 9):
India will play against Korea Republic, Spain, and France. On December 10, they will go head-to-head with Poland, Malaysia, Netherlands, Indonesia, and England. - Mobile Event (December 9):
The eTigers will take on England, Japan, Indonesia, and Spain. On December 10, they will face Korea Republic, Costa Rica, and Brazil.
The quarterfinals and semifinals for both events will take place on December 11, culminating in the finals on December 12.
Match Formats and Streaming
The Console matches will be played in a 2v2 format using eFootball 2025 on PC with PlayStation 5 controllers. On the other hand, Mobile matches will feature the same game, but played on Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G phones.
Fans can catch all the action, with group stage and quarterfinal matches of India being streamed live on the official Indian Football channels on YouTube and Twitch.
Read More: FIFA Faces Backlash Over Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup Bid Evaluation
FAQs
What is the new partnership between AIFF and Shrachi Sports?
AIFF has signed a commercial rights agreement with Shrachi Sports to produce and broadcast 338 matches from top football competitions in India for the 2024-25 season, including the I-League, IWL, and national championships.
Where will the AIFF competitions be streamed?
The matches will be streamed on the SSEN app, with 110 of the 132 I-League games also broadcast live on Sony Sports Network.
What is the FIFAe World Cup 2024?
The FIFAe World Cup 2024, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will feature eFootball competitions on both console and mobile platforms. India is debuting in this global esports event from December 9-12, 2024.
Who will represent India in the FIFAe World Cup 2024?
Chinmay Sahoo, Ibrahim Gulrez, and Saksham Rattan will represent India in the Console event, while Danial Shakeel Patel will represent the nation in the Mobile event.
Where can I watch India’s FIFAe World Cup matches?
India’s group stage and quarterfinal matches will be streamed live on the official Indian Football channels on YouTube and Twitch.
