1 week ago
BMC Proposes 50% Rent Hike for Mumbai ISL Matches
The Mumbai civic body wants Mumbai City FC to pay more money to use a football stadium.
The proposed price is ₹15 lakh for each match, compared with ₹10 lakh last year.
The stadium is the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai.
The football season is expected to run from October to March.
The civic body says it is charging more because extra rooms and areas will be included.
It also says the final price has not been decided yet.
Aaditya Thackeray disagrees with the increase and says it could hurt football in the city.
He believes the stadium could instead be used for events and shows that bring in money.
The BMC has proposed charging Mumbai City FC ₹15 lakh per ISL match at Andheri Sports Complex, up from ₹10 lakh last year.
The proposed fee represents a 50% increase, while the BMC says additional rooms and areas will be included during the tournament.
The ISL season runs from October to March, with Mumbai City FC expected to host about 10 to 12 matches.
The BMC says the revised fee has not been finalized and remains subject to meetings with Mumbai City FC representatives.
Aaditya Thackeray accused the BJP regime of pushing football out of Mumbai to lease the venue for events and shows.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Mumbai City FC, and Aaditya Thackeray are central to the dispute.
- What
- The BMC has proposed increasing Mumbai City FC’s ground fee for Indian Super League matches from ₹10 lakh to ₹15 lakh per game.
- Where
- The matches would be held at the BMC-run Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai.
- When
- The proposal was reported on August 25, 2026, ahead of the ISL season running from October to March.
- Why
- The BMC cites the inclusion of rooms and other areas during the tournament; Aaditya Thackeray says the increase could push football out of Mumbai and make way for commercial events.
BMC’s explanation
Criticism of the hike
Reason for higher fee
BMC’s explanation
The BMC sports department says additional rooms and other areas of the sports complex will be included during the tournament, leading to the ₹15 lakh quote.
Criticism of the hike
Aaditya Thackeray described the proposed rate as absurdly high and alleged that the venue’s new trustees are prioritizing higher fees and revenue over promoting sports.
Impact on Mumbai football
BMC’s explanation
The BMC says the revised rent is still under discussion and will be confirmed after meetings and agreement on the terms.
Criticism of the hike
Thackeray alleged that the BJP regime is trying to push football out of Mumbai so the ground can be leased for events and shows.
Key facts
- Proposed fee
- ₹15 lakh per match
- Previous fee
- ₹10 lakh per match last year
- Proposed increase
- 50%
- Tournament
- Indian Super League
- Expected matches
- About 10 to 12 matches
- Venue
- Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai
- Fee status
- Not finalized; meetings between BMC officials and Mumbai City FC representatives are continuing
Quotes
BMC sports department official
Official from the BMC sports department explaining the proposed fee increase
“They believe that rather than promoting sports, it’s their job to hike the fees and push out football from the city, so that they can start leasing the ground to events and shows and earn money out of it.”
freepressjournal.in
“The ISL is held annually since 2014, except a gap of a couple of years during and post COVID. Every year, a 10% rent hike is implemented.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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