Two-time Indian Super League champions Chennaiyin FC have signed the Indian Super Gaming League (ISGL) as their principal sponsor for the 2026 Indian Super League season, the club announced on Thursday.
The agreement will see ISGL, India’s first franchise-based esports league, feature as the front-of-shirt partner for the upcoming campaign. The ISGL logo will appear on Chennaiyin FC’s matchday jerseys and training kits throughout the 2026 season.
The partnership also includes prominent visibility for ISGL across the club’s digital platforms and at the Marina Arena during home fixtures. The collaboration brings together two platforms targeting India’s youth audience, aligning football and esports engagement initiatives.
In addition to branding rights, ISGL will gain access to the club’s logo and player image rights, player engagement opportunities, and key media-facing inventory as part of the agreement.
Speaking on the partnership, Chennaiyin FC COO Akhil Prakash said, “We are delighted to welcome the Indian Super Gaming League (IGSL) as the Principal Sponsor of Chennaiyin FC for the ISL 2026 season. This partnership is a natural fit for us. Our fan base is young, dynamic and constantly seeking new experiences — and gaming today sits at the heart of youth culture. Through this collaboration, we aim to create deeper engagement opportunities that connect football and gaming in meaningful ways, bringing our community even closer to the club. We look forward to building something exciting together this season.”
Chennaiyin FC, one of India’s established football clubs and a consistent presence in the domestic football ecosystem, have played a role in nurturing and showcasing several leading Indian talents over the years.
ISGL, meanwhile, has been structured as a merit-driven national esports league with a long-term vision to systematically discover, develop and elevate Indian gaming talent. By combining high-performance competition with creator culture, music, live audiences and immersive fan engagement, ISGL aims to reflect how younger audiences engage with sport and entertainment both on-ground and online.
Gautam Badalia, Co-Founder of LetsGameNow, ISGL’s parent organisation, said, “At ISGL, our mission has always been to identify, nurture, and provide a platform for young talent to shine. Partnering with Chennaiyin FC as Principal Sponsor is a natural extension of that vision. Chennaiyin FC represents the footballing aspirations of Tamil Nadu on the national stage, and shares our belief in building structured pathways for emerging talent. Whether in competitive gaming or professional football, excellence is driven by discipline, opportunity, and ambition—and through this partnership, we aim to inspire the next generation across sport and gaming.”
The partnership will be visible from Chennaiyin FC’s opening fixture of the 2026 season against Mumbai City FC, marking the beginning of a four-match run on the road. The Marina Machans will then return to the Marina Arena for their first home game of the campaign against Mohammedan on March 13.
