Kerala Blasters get Kochi stadium for ISL home matches at Rs 3.5 lakh per game

Kerala Blasters FC Vibin Mohanan, third left, celebrates with teammates after scoring the second goal during Indian Super League (ISL) match between Kerala Blasters FC and Jamshedpur FC, In Kochi, Kerala. (PTI File Photo)

The Kerala government on Saturday allotted the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi to Kerala Blasters FC for their home matches in the 2026-27 Indian Super League (ISL) season at a rent of Rs 3.5 lakh per match.The order was issued by the Local Self Government Department a day before the Blasters are scheduled to host Mumbai City FC in their first home match of the season. The stadium is owned by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA).

The government has also fixed a security deposit of Rs 25 lakh for the use of the stadium.In its order, the government said it had considered the club's request and recognised Kerala Blasters' role in the growth of football in the state and in encouraging youngsters to take an interest in sports.It also noted the contribution of the club and the ISL to the development of sports infrastructure in the state. Supporting Kerala Blasters, one of the state's prominent football clubs, was in the public interest, the order said.The Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium has been Kerala Blasters' home ground since the ISL began in 2014.

The Blasters will host Mumbai City FC on Sunday as they look to bounce back from a 4-1 defeat to NorthEast United FC.

Mumbai City, meanwhile, will be chasing their first win of the season after collecting just one point from their opening two matches.Kerala head coach Ashley Westwood acknowledged the defensive mistakes that contributed to the defeat but said the team was still settling into the season. With limited time together during pre-season, the Blasters are working on building combinations and settling on a consistent starting eleven.Westwood, however, said his side would continue to play an attacking game."We try and play intense, aggressive football. We try and get numbers forward. We try and win every game," he said.