Bengaluru FC

owner	JSW Sports

chrtitle	Chairman

chairman	Sajjan Jindal

mgrtitle	Head coach

manager	Pep Muñoz

current	2025–26 Bengaluru FC season

pattern la1	_Bengalurufc_home_2025_26

pattern b1	_bengalurufc_home_2025_26

pattern ra1	_Bengalurufc_home_2025_26

pattern so1	_redtop

pattern sh1	_redsides

leftarm1	273496

body1	273496

rightarm1	273496

shorts1	273496

socks1	273496

pattern la2	_bengalurufc_away_2020_21

pattern b2	_bengalurufc_away_2025_26

pattern ra2	_bengalurufc_away_2020_21

pattern so2	_bengalurufc_away_2020_21

leftarm2	FFFFFF

body2	FFFFFF

rightarm2	FFFFFF

shorts2	FFFFFF

socks2	FFFFFF

pattern la3	_blackborder

pattern b3	_blackcollar

pattern ra3	_blackborder

pattern sh3	_blacksides

pattern so3	_blacktop

leftarm3	FFAEC9

body3	FFAEC9

rightarm3	FFAEC9

shorts3	FFAEC9

socks3	FFAEC9

Bengaluru Football Club (Kannada: ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು.ಎಫ್.ಸಿ) is an Indian professional football club based in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The club competes in the Indian Super League, the top flight of Indian football.[6] The club was established on 20 July 2013,[7] and began its first competitive season in the I-League on 22 September the same year. Since its inception, the club has won two I-League titles including one in its debut season, two Federation Cup titles,[8] one Indian Super League title, and a Super Cup championship making it fourth-most successful club in Indian football.

The club is owned and operated by JSW Sports and its managing director Sajjan Jindal.[1] Bengaluru has played its home matches at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium since the beginning of the 2014–15 season. Despite only playing four seasons in the I-League, the club was considered one of the model clubs of Indian football.[9] Bengaluru drew praise for bringing a new sense of professionalism to Indian football, including the use of on field equipment meant to help player fitness.[10]

On 22 September 2013, Bengaluru FC played its inaugural match, which ended in a 1–1 draw against Mohun Bagan. The club went on to win the I-League in its debut season and again in 2015–16.[11] They won the ISL title in 2018–19. As well as three league titles, Bengaluru also won two Federation Cups in 2015 and 2017 and a Super Cup in 2018. Between 2015 and 2018, the club represented India in Asian club competition, competing in the AFC Cup for four consecutive years. During the 2016 AFC Cup, Bengaluru reached the final and lost 1–0 to Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya of Iraq.[12][13] On 28 September 2019, it was announced that the club had entered into a partnership with the Scottish Premier League club Rangers.[14] In 2022, Bengaluru FC beat Mumbai City to win the 131st Durand Cup.[15]

History

Inception

In January 2013, it was reported Mumbai Tigers (then known as Dodsal FC) had failed to register for the upcoming I-League 2nd Division.[16] It was also rumoured the club could instead enter the I-League, India's top football league, directly through cash payment to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and a promise to build a new football stadium.[16] On 12 January, it was announced the AIFF had called for an executive meeting to decide whether to allow teams to enter directly the I-League for the 2013–14 season.[17] At around the same time, uncertainty whether institutional clubs Air India, ONGC and then-suspended Mohun Bagan would be allowed to play in the league that season arose.[17]

Crest, colours & kits

Bengaluru FC' home livery was unveiled during the 21 July JSW launch; the crest features the Bangalore Palace coloured white to symbolize the victory of the Wodeyars, who won the palace back.[44] In the middle of the crest, a blue Gandaberunda – a mythical two-headed bird, symbolizes the pride, resilience, and bravery of the people of Bengaluru.[44] The Gandaberunda is taken from the coat of arms of the state of Karnataka.[44] On 24 January 2015, Bengaluru revealed Eddie The Eagle as its official mascot.[45]

The club colour is blue; it is often known by the nickname "The Blues".[46]

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Stadium

In their first season, Bengaluru FC played home games at Bangalore Football Stadium in the city centre. The West stand was the largest and most capacious stand, and housed the VIP boxes during I-League and other major matches. During the club's launch, it was announced the team would play at Bangalore Football Stadium for the 2013–14 I-League season.[1] The stadium had a capacity of 15,000 and its pitch was covered with astroturf.[53]

From the 2014–15 season, the club started playing home games at the 24,000 capacity Sree Kanteerava Stadium.[54] There are eight entrances to the stadium, and nine stands are used for Bengaluru FC matches. West Block A stand is the largest stand in the stadium and is home to the West Block Blues supporters' club. Due to criticisms of the artificial pitch at Bangalore Football Stadium, the new stadium's pitch is covered with natural grass. All stands except the North Stand have permanent seating. Some fans refer to the Sree Kanteerva Stadium as 'The Fortress".[55]

Supporters

Bengaluru FC is reputed to have one of the most vocal fanbases in India. The fans are known as the West Block Blues,[56] which is named after West Block A in the Bangalore Football Stadium.[57][58]

The players and the coach have often acknowledged the fans' support in their success, and called them "The 12th Man".[59][60][61] Apart from supporting Bengaluru FC, the fan club has frequently supported the India national football team, and unfurled a 5000 sqft banner at the India vs Guam game.[62]

Rivalries

In the initial years of the club, Bengaluru FC played in the I-league before joining the Indian Super League. The club played important games against Mohun Bagan, sparking a rivalry between the clubs which continued in ISL when Mohun Bagan joined the league.[63]

South Indian Derby

Bengaluru FC has also developed a famous rivalry with South Indian club Kerala Blasters.[64] The rivalry stems from the competition between the clubs' fan bases; Manjappada and Bengaluru's West Block Blues.[65]

Statistics

Players

First-team squad

[66][67]

Out on loan

Reserves and academy

Club officials

Current technical staff

Management

Managers

Season by season record

Honours

Trophies

Awards

Club ranking

AFC club ranking

World club ranking

[83]

Continental record

eSports

The organizers of ISL introduced eISL, a FIFA video game tournament for the ISL playing clubs, each represented by two players. Bengaluru FC hosted a series of qualifying games for all the participants wanting to represent the club in eISL. On 20 November the club announced signing of the two players.

Roster

Affiliated clubs

The following clubs are affiliated with Bengaluru FC:

Rangers FC [85][86]
🇮🇳 Rangdajied United FC[87][88]

External links

References

JSW Sports launches Bengaluru FC I-League, retrieved 1 August 2013^
Bengaluru FC – Venue Indian Super League, retrieved 12 May 2018^
BFC Soccer Schools soccerschools.bengalurufc.com, retrieved 2020-11-18^

Ashley Westwood era (2013–2016)

Immediately after winning the rights to form a direct-entry side, JSW Group began assembling a team. The club's first signing was midfielder Thoi Singh from Mumbai Tigers.[22] On 2 July 2013, it was announced former Blackburn Rovers assistant manager Ashley Westwood would become the club's first head coach.[23] On 16 July, JSW Group signed the club's first two foreign players, defenders John Johnson and Curtis Osano.[24] Three days later, it was announced the club had signed the India national team captain Sunil Chhetri from Sporting Portugal B.[25]

On 22 September that year, the club played their first official match in the I-League against Mohun Bagan at Bangalore Football Stadium. After a scoreless first-half, Bengaluru scored their first official goal in the 49th minute through Sean Rooney.[26] In injury time, Mohun Bagan equalized through Chinadorai Sabeeth to end the match 1–1.[26] Their next match brought Bengaluru's first win, defeating Rangdajied United 3–0 at the Bangalore Football Stadium.[27]

The club played their first away game on 26 October 2013 against East Bengal at the Kalyani Stadium. In their first losing away game, Bengaluru lost 0–2 to the Kolkata-based side.[28] Exactly a month later, the club won their first away match against Salgaocar at the Duler Stadium 2–1.[29]

On 15 January 2014, Bengaluru played the first game in their first domestic cup competition, the Federation Cup,[30] against Sporting Goa at the Manjeri Stadium. Bengaluru won 5–3 but went on to draw one match and lose another, and were knocked out in the group stage of the tournament.[31]

On 21 April 2014, Bengaluru defeated Dempo 4–2 at the Fatorda Stadium to claim their first I-League title in their debut season.[32] During the 2014–15 season, Bengaluru again participated in the Federation Cup, winning their first trophy on 11 January 2015 after defeating Dempo 2–1 in the final. Despite the cup victory and entering the season as defending league champions, Bengaluru lost the I-League title on the last day of the season, when they drew 1–1 against Mohun Bagan, who gained the title. Despite losing the title, Bengaluru ended the season with a 13-match unbeaten run. Bengaluru also participated in the Asian club competition for the first time but failed to qualify for the AFC Champions League; the team also reached Round 16 for the AFC Cup.

The next season, Bengaluru won their second I-League title, defeating Salgaocar 2–0 at home on 17 April 2016. The club also advanced further into the AFC Cup, reaching the quarter-finals after defeating Kitchee 3–2 in Round 16. Despite the club's achievement, Ashley Westwood left the club at the end of the season.

owntitle
clubname	Bengaluru
upright	0.9
fullname	Bengaluru Football Club (ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಕಾಲ್ಚೆಂಡು ಕ್ಲಬ್)
nickname	The Blues (ಬ್ಲೂಸ್)
short name	BFC
founded	July 20, 2013‡R1R‡
ground	Kanteerava Stadium
capacity	25,810‡R2R‡