Capri Sports and AIFF sign 15-year deal to develop Indian women’s football

Capri Sports has entered into a 15-year partnership with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to lead the commercial development and marketing of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) and IWL 2, marking a long-term investment in India’s women’s club football ecosystem.

Announced on September 22, 2026, the agreement gives Capri Sports responsibility for developing commercial opportunities across the country’s top two tiers of women’s club football.

The partnership aims to build audiences, increase the visibility of clubs and players, attract brands and investment, and strengthen broadcast and digital engagement.

A long-term commercial strategy

Speaking about the partnership, Capri Sports director and promoter Jinisha Sharma told Forbes India that the company had evaluated women’s football for several years before committing to the sector.

Sharma said the company sees an opportunity to connect girls who play football at school level with a stronger spectator culture around the professional game. The IWL, she believes, can provide a platform through which participation translates into regular viewership and a larger fan base.

The 15-year term gives Capri Sports more time to build commercial structures rather than focus only on short-term sponsorship opportunities. Its stated priorities include storytelling, fan engagement, on-ground experiences and creating more opportunities for brands to invest in the leagues.

AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey said the partnership could help strengthen club competitions and professionalise the women’s football ecosystem. The federation also pointed to increased participation through initiatives such as the ASMITA leagues and the introduction of dedicated U-17 and U-15 women’s competitions.

Linking grassroots participation with elite football

Capri Sports’ involvement in football extends beyond the league agreement. The company has launched Nova Sports, a grassroots-to-elite initiative to expand access and opportunities for girls across India, aiming to reach 1.5 million girls over the next decade.

It also has experience in women’s sport through its involvement with the UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League.

The commercial partnership comes as women’s football participation grows. According to the Traders Union report, the number of registered women footballers in India rose from 11,724 in June 2022 to 27,936 in March 2024, an increase of 138%.

The challenge now is to convert that participation into stronger club visibility, regular audiences and sustainable commercial value.

The long-term AIFF–Capri Sports agreement sets out that ambition, with implementation across the IWL and IWL 2 expected to shape the next phase of women’s club football in India.