Kerala Blasters to get Kochi stadium for ISL home matches for Rs 3.5 crore per match

Kerala Blasters FC’s Vibin Mohanan, third from left, celebrates with teammates after scoring the second goal during the 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 million per match.The ordinance was issued by the local government department a day before the Blasters are scheduled to host Mumbai City FC in their first home game of the season. The stadium is owned by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA).The government has also set a security deposit of Rs 25 crore for the use of the stadium.In its order, the government said it considered the club’s request and recognized the role of Kerala Blasters in the growth of football in the state and in encouraging the youth to take interest in the sport.She 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 premier football clubs, was in public interest, the order said.The Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium has been the home ground of Kerala Blasters since the inception of the ISL in 2014.The Blasters will host Mumbai City FC on Sunday, looking to bounce back from a 4-1 defeat to NorthEast United FC. Mumbai City, meanwhile, will be looking for their first win of the season after picking up just a point from their opening two matches.Kerala head coach Ashley Westwood acknowledged defensive mistakes contributed to the defeat but said the team was still coming to terms with the season. With limited time together during the pre-season, the Blasters are working on building combinations and settling on a consistent starting XI.However, Westwood said his team will continue to play offensively.“We try to play intense, aggressive football. We try to put numbers forward. We try to win every game,” he said.