Punjab FC Secures Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for Two More Seasons in ISL

Punjab FC will continue to call Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN) their home for the next two seasons of the Indian Super League (ISL). The Mohali-based club, which won promotion from the I-League to the ISL last season, has finalized a fresh deal with the Sports Authority of India to extend their stay at the iconic venue until the end of the 2025-26 season. This decision comes after Punjab FC’s successful debut in the ISL, where they finished eighth among 12 teams.

Having played their home matches at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula during their I-League campaign, Punjab FC faced a significant challenge upon promotion. The Panchkula venue, with a capacity of 12,000, did not meet the stringent venue specifications required by the ISL, necessitating a move to a compliant stadium. 

Punjab FC opted for the JLN Stadium in Delhi, which was previously home to the now-defunct Delhi Dynamos franchise before it relocated to Bhubaneswar and rebranded as Odisha FC.

The decision to continue using JLN Stadium, which can accommodate up to 60,000 spectators, is driven by both practicality and necessity. Upgrading either the Tau Devi Lal Stadium or the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana to meet ISL standards would require substantial financial investment, something the club has deemed unfeasible at this stage. 

Instead, Punjab FC has chosen to leverage the existing infrastructure at JLN Stadium, despite the cost associated with hosting matches there—estimated at around Rs 30 lakh per game last season.

In their inaugural ISL season, Punjab FC experienced a mixed bag of results at their new home. Out of 11 home matches, the team managed three wins, three draws, and suffered five losses, securing a total of 12 points at JLN. The club trained in Mohali, where they have a dedicated sports academy, and traveled to Delhi the day before matches. This routine is expected to continue in the upcoming season, though final arrangements are still under discussion.

As Punjab FC prepares for the 2024-25 ISL season, which kicks off on September 13, the club will do so with a new-look team under the guidance of a fresh head coach. Greek tactician Staikos Vergetis, who led the club to ISL promotion, has been replaced by his compatriot Panagiotis Dilmperis. Sankarlal Chakraborty, who served as the assistant coach under Vergetis, will remain in his role, ensuring some continuity in the coaching staff.

Technical Director Nikolaos Topoliatis has overseen significant changes to the squad, with five player contracts extended, nine new signings, and 13 players released. Among the new recruits are well-known domestic talents such as Princeton Rebello, Ninthoinganba Meetei, and Vinit Rai. The club has also bolstered its attack with the return of Slovenian striker Luka Majcen, who has been a key player for Punjab, scoring eight goals and providing two assists last season.

Additionally, Punjab FC has strengthened its midfield by signing Argentine playmaker Norberto Ezequiel Vidal from Indonesian club Persita Tangerang. The 29-year-old becomes the club’s fifth overseas player and is expected to add creativity and experience to the squad.

As Punjab FC embarks on its second ISL campaign, the club will be aiming to build on last season’s experience and improve its standing in the league. With a new coach, a refreshed squad, and a stable home base in Delhi, the team is poised to make its mark in India’s top-flight football once again.