Sporting Club Delhi: ISL Returns to Capital as Hyderabad FC Relocates

For years, Delhi has been missing from the top tier of Indian football. The capital’s ISL presence disappeared after Delhi Dynamos moved to Bhubaneswar in 2019, becoming Odisha FC, leaving fans with little to cheer for beyond Delhi FC in the I-League. That is all about to change. Hyderabad FC, the 2021–22 ISL champions, are relocating to Delhi and will be rebranded as Sporting Club Delhi, bringing the ISL back to the city for the first time in over five years.

The move ends Hyderabad’s chapter in the south and gives the capital something its football fans have long waited for: a homegrown ISL team. In recent years, Punjab FC played some of their home games at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, but with the arrival of Sporting Club Delhi, the city can expect a permanent ISL presence this season.

The story of Hyderabad FC

Hyderabad FC was created in 2019, stepping in after FC Pune City folded due to financial issues. The club struggled in its first season, finishing at the bottom of the table. Things began to change with the appointment of Spanish coach Manolo Marquez, who guided Hyderabad to a dramatic turnaround, culminating in the 2021–22 ISL title.

However, challenges returned in the 2024–25 season. Hyderabad FC finished 12th in a 13-team league, securing just four wins out of 24 matches. Off-field instability added to the struggle, with Thanboi Singto leaving mid-season and stand-in coach Shameel Chembakath taking over. The club was eventually taken over by Jindal Football Pvt. Ltd, setting the stage for a fresh start in the capital.

Why the move to Delhi?

The relocation is more than a change of location. The club has informed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) of its long-term plan to create a well-structured, professional football club that connects with Delhi’s new generation of football fans. Sporting Club Delhi has secured land in New Delhi, intended as both its operational base and a hub for nurturing football talent in the region.

Delhi has a rich footballing history. The city’s fans once filled Ambedkar Stadium for major tournaments in the 1950s and 60s. Even Delhi Dynamos, with star signings like Alessandro Del Piero, Roberto Carlos, and Florent Malouda, struggled to maintain consistent crowds before relocating. Sporting Club Delhi will aim to rekindle that passion and build a team with a strong, sustainable foundation in their second chance.

Sporting Club Delhi is set to make its debut in the Super Cup 2025 under the new identity. The project is more than a rebranding; it is a chance to establish ISL football firmly in the capital.