Hero Super Cup draw held at Football House, tournament kicks off on April 3 in Kerala

NEW DELHI: The Indian Football calendar is a burgeoning one, and the 2022-23 season has seen it grow further. Now winding down towards the business end of the season, Indian Football fans are all set to be treated with yet another top tournament – the Hero Super Cup, the draw for which was held at the Football House in New Delhi on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
For the first time ever, the Hero Super Cup will be held in Kerala. Sixteen teams are set to fight it out for India’s premier cup competition, and in an unprecedented move, the winners of the Hero Super Cup will also get a chance to play at the continental level. The champions of the Hero Super Cup will fight it out in a play-off against last season’s Hero I-League champions Gokulam Kerala FC, to determine who will get an entry into the AFC Cup South Zone group.
The tournament will see participation from 11 teams from the Hero Indian Super League and ten teams from the Hero I-League. The eleven teams of the Hero ISL and the winners of the Hero I-League get a direct entry into the group stage of the competition.
Seven teams from the Hero I-League (those ranked from second to eighth) will have a set of playoff qualifiers to get into the group stage of the tournament. Furthermore, the teams ranked ninth and tenth will play a qualifying playoff and the winners will get a place in the qualifiers.
The draw for the Hero Super Cup saw the 16 participating teams divided into four groups of four. Group A consists of Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters FC, newly crowned Hero I-League champions RoundGlass Punjab FC and the winners of the qualifier between the second-ranked Hero I-League team and the team that won the eliminator.
Group B consists of Hyderabad FC, Odisha FC, East Bengal FC and the winners of the playoff between the Hero I-League teams ranked fourth and seventh. ATK Mohun Bagan, Jamshedpur FC, FC Goa and the winners of the playoff between the teams ranked third and eighth in the Hero I-League are in Group C.
Group D consists of the newly crowned Hero ISL 2022-23 League Shield winners Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC, North East United FC and the winners of the playoff between the fifth-ranked Hero I-League team and the one-ranked sixth. The fixtures for the competition are listed below.
“A vibrant cup competition is one of the missing parts of the Indian football landscape. With the Hero Super Cup, we are trying to bridge that gap and this season’s Super Cup gains all the importance as the winners will have the chance to compete in the AFC Cup next season,” said AIFF Secretary General Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran.
“Hero Super Cup is one of the important links between the Hero ISL and the Hero I-League. The Super Cup will serve as a platform where all the clubs from the top two leagues in the country can come together as one family and compete against each other. My best wishes to all of them,” he said.
He further expressed his excitement at the fact that Kerala will play host to the Hero Super Cup.
“Kerala, of course, is a great place to restart the Super Cup. The love and passion for the game here in Kerala will take it a long way. We are immensely thankful to the Kerala Football Association and the local government for its proactive cooperation and for making sure this competition takes place in God’s own country,” said Dr. Prabhakaran.
Speaking at the press conference announcing the draw in Kozhikode, Kerala Football Association General Secretary Anilkumar Prabhakar said, “We are delighted to welcome the Super Cup to the land of football. We will do our best to make the experience a memorable one for all participating teams. I’d also like to thank the AIFF leadership for having faith in Kerala FA and confirming Kerala as the venue.”
Hero Super Cup Fixture
Hero Super Cup Qualifying playoff Fixture
April 3: Hero I-League 9 vs Hero I-League 10, EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode
Qualifiers
April 5: Q1, Hero I-League 2 vs Winners of Qualifying playoff, EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode
April 5: Q2, Hero I-League 3 vs Hero I-League 8, EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode
April 6: Q3, Hero I-League 4 vs Hero I-League 7, EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode
April 6: Q4, Hero I-League 5 vs Hero I-League 6, EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode
Group A
April 8: Bengaluru FC vs Winners Q1, EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode
April 8: Kerala Blasters FC vs RoundGlass Punjab FC, EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode
April 12: Winners Q1 vs Kerala Blasters FC, EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode
April 12: RoundGlass Punjab vs Bengaluru FC, EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode
April 16: RoundGlass Punjab vs Winners Q1, EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode
April 16: Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters FC, EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode
Group B
April 9: Hyderabad FC vs Winners Q3, Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri
April 9: Odisha FC vs East Bengal FC, Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri
April 13: Winners Q3 vs Odisha FC, Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri
April 13: East Bengal FC vs Hyderabad FC, Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri
April 17: East Bengal vs Winners Q3, Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri
April 17: Hyderabad FC vs Odisha FC, Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri
Group C
April 10: ATK Mohun Bagan vs Winners Q2, EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode
April 10: FC Goa vs Jamshedpur FC, EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode
April 14: Winners Q2 vs FC Goa, EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode
April 14: Jamshedpur FC vs ATK Mohun Bagan, EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode
April 18: Jamshedpur FC vs Winners Q2, EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode
April 18: ATK Mohun Bagan vs FC Goa, EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode
Group D
April 11: Mumbai City FC vs Winners Q4, Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri
April 11: Chennaiyin FC vs NorthEast United FC, Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri
April 15: Winners Q4 vs Chennaiyin FC, Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri
April 15: NorthEast FC vs Mumbai City FC, Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri
April 19: NorthEast United FC vs Winners Q4, Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri
April 19: Mumbai City FC vs Chennaiyin FC, Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri
SEMI-FINALS
April 21: Winners Group A vs Winners Group C, EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode
April 22: Winners Group B vs Winners Group D, Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri
FINAL
April 25: Winners Semi-Final 1 vs Winners Semi-Final 2, EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode.
Also Read: RFDL kicks off with over 50 Clubs from Hero ISL, I-League I&II & State FA
Senior Women's NFC / Women Football
Urvi and Sakshi shine as Maharashtra clinches second win of Senior Womens NFC
Second half goals from Urvi Salunkhe and Sakshi Hiwale gives Maharashtra a convincing 2-0 victory against Bihar in the ongoing 28th Senior Women’s National Football Championship. Coming on the back…
Spurs in India: Tottenham Hotspur legends Ledley King and Ossie Ardiles to visit Mumbai and Bengaluru
Tottenham Hotspur legends Ledley King and Ossie Ardiles will be visiting India to support a series of events and activities arranged by the Club to engage with fans and promote…
Hemang Jadhav’s late goal gives Young Guns 1-0 win over Spartans in nail-biting clash
A second half goal from skipper Hemang Jadhav gives Young Guns (Rhema) a hard fought win as the club jumps to 2nd spot in the league table on par on…
Feature / MFA / MFA Super League / Recommended
Parel’s Pride: Soccer Saga FC’s inspiring climb in Mumbai’s Football Hierarchy
In the bustling heart of Parel, Mumbai, a footballing revolution quietly took root in 2016 when Soccer Saga FC was born. What started as a humble initiative aimed at nurturing…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
Mumbai Premier League: Maharashtra Oranje FC claims 4-0 win over JMJ SC
In a surprising turn of events during the Mumbai Premier League encounter, Maharashtra Oranje FC secured a 4-0 win against JMJ SC, but not in the manner they had hoped…
Indian football on the brink of history, agree AIFF president and Arsene Wenger
MUMBAI: AIFF President Mr. Kalyan Chaubey, and FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Mr. Arsene Wenger addressed the media in the city the day after India’s FIFA World Cup Qualifier Round…
MFA Super League: Maharashtra Oranje FC (U23) secures dominant 3-0 win over ICL Youngstars
In a riveting MFA Super League encounter, Maharashtra Oranje FC (U23) rode on super sub Vivek Tiwari brace and a goal from Rahul to pick a comprehensive 3-0 victory against ICL Youngstars side.
Senior Women's NFC / Women Football
Samrudhi Katkole stars with hat-trick as Maharashtra beat Himachal Pradesh 6-0 in Senior Womens NFC
A hattrick from Samrudhi Katkole and a brace from Aishwarya Jagtap help Maharashtra continue its winning form with a resounding 6-0 triumph over Himachal Pradesh in the ongoing Senior Women’s…
Hyderabad FC hopes to start afresh as Sea of Yellow awaits to welcome them against KBFC
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 action returns to the hotbed of footballing fandom as the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi will witness the clash between the Kerala Blasters FC…
Chennaiyin FC, East Bengal FC seek timely revivals as ISL action resumes post international break
Chennaiyin FC will host East Bengal FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday, November 25, 2023, as the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 action after international break….
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…