The football landscape of India witnessed a seismic shift when news broke that Hyderabad FC, the 2021-22 Indian Super League champions, would undergo complete rebranding and relocate to the national capital ahead of the 2025-26 season, now known as Sporting Club Delhi. This dramatic transformation marks the end of a tumultuous chapter and the beginning of an ambitious new era for one of the ISL’s most storied franchises.
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The Rise and Fall of a Champion
Founded on August 27, 2019, Hyderabad FC emerged from the ashes of FC Pune City, a club that had succumbed to financial difficulties. The early days were challenging—the team finished dead last in their maiden season. But football, like life, rewards perseverance.
Under Spanish coach Manolo Marquez, the team underwent a remarkable transformation, leading them to the ISL title in the 2021-22 season. The Nawabs, as they were affectionately known, had seemingly found their footing in Indian football’s most competitive league. The partnership with German giants Borussia Dortmund for grassroots development signaled long-term ambitions.
However, beneath the surface of success, storm clouds were gathering.
Financial Turbulence and Ownership Change
| Season | League Position | Key Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 13th (Bottom) | Financial crisis, 1 win in 24 games |
| 2024-25 | 12th | Ownership transition, coaching change |
The BC Jindal Group took over the club just before the 2024-25 ISL season began, stepping in amid mounting financial issues left behind by previous owners, including unpaid dues to players, vendors, and agents dating back to their title-winning 2021-22 campaign.
The 2023-24 season proved catastrophic for Hyderabad FC. The team finished bottom of the table with just one win to their name, conceding a league-high 47 goals. Key players departed, coach Thangboi Singto left mid-season, and the club’s financial woes became public knowledge.
Enter BC Jindal Group: A New Vision
In September 2024, Jindal Football, under the BC Jindal Group—one of India’s leading business houses worth $2.5 billion—announced the acquisition of Hyderabad FC’s sporting license, marking the group’s first venture into the Indian sports ecosystem.
The BC Jindal Group brought more than financial muscle to the table. With over 70 years of business experience across flexible packaging films, energy generation, and downstream steel products, they brought corporate discipline and long-term vision to a club in crisis.
The Delhi Connection
The relocation wasn’t impulsive. In its communication to the AIFF, the franchise highlighted that it owns significant land in New Delhi, which it has earmarked for and envisions as the center of operations and the future home of the football team.
For Delhi, this represents a homecoming of sorts. The capital hasn’t had ISL representation since Delhi Dynamos FC relocated to Bhubaneswar and became Odisha FC in 2019. Despite featuring international stars like Alessandro Del Piero, Florent Malouda, and Roberto Carlos, Delhi Dynamos struggled to attract consistent crowds before eventually relocating.
Sporting Club Delhi: The New Identity
The transformation from Hyderabad FC to Sporting Club Delhi represents more than a change of location—it’s a complete philosophical rebrand. Club management informed the AIFF of their decision to relocate, citing a long-term vision to develop a professionally run football club that reflects the values and aspirations of a new generation of fans in Delhi and across India.
| Transformation Timeline | Details |
|---|---|
| September 2024 | BC Jindal Group acquires Hyderabad FC |
| May 2025 | Official relocation announcement |
| Super Cup 2025 | Expected debut as Sporting Club Delhi |
| 2025-26 ISL Season | Full season under new identity |
The club is expected to make its first appearance under the new identity in the Super Cup 2025, giving fans their first glimpse of what Sporting Club Delhi represents.
Building for the Future
The BC Jindal Group isn’t just changing names and locations—they’re building infrastructure. The club is preparing for a new chapter in New Delhi, with the appointment of former Kerala Blasters interim coach Tomasz Tchórz as head coach for the 2025-26 season and the signing of Brazilian defender Rafael Ribeiro.
The group’s vision extends beyond immediate success. A club spokesperson stated their goal is to nurture home-grown talent and foster the growth of football in India, envisioning a future where Indian players compete at the highest international levels.
What This Means for Indian Football
The relocation raises important questions about franchise stability in the ISL. While North American sports leagues regularly see franchises relocate, such moves remain controversial in football-mad nations. For Hyderabad, losing their ISL team after just five years stings, particularly given the 2021-22 championship triumph.
However, for Delhi’s football ecosystem, this represents an opportunity to rebuild a fanbase that once filled stadiums but gradually drifted away. The BC Jindal Group’s substantial land holdings in New Delhi suggest plans for dedicated training facilities and potentially a purpose-built stadium—infrastructure that could elevate Indian club football standards.
The Road Ahead
Despite finishing second last in 2024-25, Hyderabad FC’s performances were a step up from the previous season’s bottom finish, with young players rising to the occasion. The foundation, though shaky, exists.
Sporting Club Delhi inherits a squad with potential, a new ownership committed to long-term development, and a city hungry for top-flight football. The challenge will be converting Delhi’s massive population into passionate supporters while building a competitive team capable of challenging for ISL honors.
The transformation of Hyderabad FC into Sporting Club Delhi represents Indian football’s evolving nature—where corporate investment, strategic planning, and long-term vision increasingly determine club success. Whether this bold gamble pays off will unfold over the coming seasons, but one thing is certain: a new chapter has begun, and Indian football will be watching closely.
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FAQs
Why did Hyderabad FC relocate to Delhi?
The relocation was driven by the BC Jindal Group’s ownership vision and significant land holdings in New Delhi. The group aims to develop professional football infrastructure in the capital while addressing the club’s financial difficulties inherited from previous ownership.
When will Sporting Club Delhi play their first match?
Sporting Club Delhi is expected to debut in the Super Cup 2025, with their full ISL season beginning in the 2025-26 campaign starting September 2025.
What happened to Hyderabad FC’s championship-winning squad?
Most players from the 2021-22 championship team had already departed before the relocation announcement. Key players like Akash Mishra and Haricharan Narzary left during the financial crisis, while coach Manolo Marquez moved to FC Goa.
Will Delhi fans support the new club?
This remains the biggest question. Delhi struggled to maintain consistent support for Delhi Dynamos despite international stars. Sporting Club Delhi’s success will depend on community engagement, winning football, and the BC Jindal Group’s marketing approach.
What is the BC Jindal Group’s long-term vision for Indian football?
The group has stated ambitions to nurture home-grown talent, develop world-class infrastructure, and elevate Indian football to international standards, with the ultimate dream of seeing India participate in FIFA World Cup finals.
