Chennaiyin FC, a prominent team in the Indian Super League (ISL), have obtained Indian Super Gaming League (ISGL), a non–real money gaming event, as the principal sponsor for 2025-2026 season.
Under the arrangement, the ISGL will be Chennaiyin FC’s front-of-shirt partner for the 2026 season, with its emblem appearing on matchday jerseys and training kits. ISGL will also have considerable exposure on the club’s digital channels and across the Marina Arena during home games, demonstrating a connection between two platforms that speak loudly to India’s youth.
ISGL will also have access to the club’s logo and player image rights, player interaction opportunities, and essential media-facing assets as part of the agreement.
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, one of the the nation’s most established football teams and a persistent presence in the Indian football ecosystem, has played an important part in the development and promotion of some of India’s top players over the years. ISGL, on the other hand, is developed with a similar long-term objective for esports: it is a merit-driven national league that will methodically uncover, nurture, and promote Indian gaming talent. ISGL reflects how today’s youth interact with sport and entertainment—both on-ground and online—by combining high-performance competition with the cultural pulse of creators, music, live audiences, and immersive fan engagement, resulting in a natural convergence of two evolving sporting cultures.
Gautam Badalia, Co-Founder, 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.”
Along with CFC, the brand has also annpunced partnership with Mumbai City FC (MCFC). The association will be on full show when Chennaiyin FC face MCFC in their first encounter of the 2026 season, which will kick off a four-game road journey. The Marina Machans will next return to the Marina Arena for their first home game of the season versus Mohammedan Sporting Club on March 13.
