The programme was delivered by the Premier League’s international community coaches, supported by Indian coach educators who are alumni of the Premier League Primary Stars programme. The second edition follows the inaugural NEXTGEN Coach programme in Goa in May 2026 and builds on the Premier League’s longstanding commitment to supporting the growth and development of grassroots football in the country.

The NEXTGEN initiative, which began as a tournament bringing Premier League Academy sides together with youth teams from India, now includes a coach-development programme focused on knowledge-sharing and the delivery of practical learning and experience to local community coaches. Through classroom and on-pitch sessions, participating coaches develop the tools and confidence to deliver football that is safe, inclusive and enjoyable for young people in their communities.

The programme forms part of the Premier League’s wider community football work in India, which spans nearly two decades. Through this investment, the Premier League has supported more than 7,500 coaches, referees and educators and benefited over 164,000 young people across 18 states.

As part of this longstanding commitment, the Premier League opened its India office in Mumbai in April 2025, creating a stronger platform to engage with the wider football ecosystem through coach development and community engagement initiatives.

This week’s activity concluded with a NEXTGEN Football Festival, where more than 80 students aged 10 to 14 from the OSCAR Foundation took part in football sessions led by the participating coaches, giving them an opportunity to put the skills and knowledge they learned into practice.

Premier League India Managing Director Hrishikesh Shende said: “Supporting grassroots football is a key part of the Premier League’s work in India. The NEXTGEN Coach programme brings our coaching expertise directly to local coaches, helping them develop young players and strengthen the game in their communities. By investing in local coaches, we can create far greater impact on the quality of football coaching available to young people across India.”

The Premier League Trophy was on display at the showcase event, which was also attended by the UK Secretary of State for Business, Science, Innovation and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, and members of the Great North delegation- including the Mayor of the North East, Kim McGuinness, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Bev Craig and Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram- visiting India as part of its inaugural trade mission. The delegation brought together Mayors from across the Northern region of the UK, which is home to more than a third of Premier League clubs.

Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds said: “It was fantastic to see first-hand the impact the Premier League’s work is having in India, helping local coaches develop their skills and giving young people the chance to enjoy the game we all love.

“The League is one of our greatest exports and is a powerful example of how UK expertise can make a difference across the world.”

Chair of The Great North and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “Football is a powerful bridge between our two nations, connecting people through a shared passion that reaches across borders.

“In the North, football is woven into our identity. Our clubs carry the pride of our communities onto the global stage, showing the world who we are and giving millions of fans in India a connection to our places and our people. Our Great North mission is about taking that pride and ambition out into the world and building lasting partnerships with India.

“Through NEXTGEN Coach, that connection can create opportunities for young people, strengthen communities and bring our two nations closer together.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Craig said: “When I go to new places representing Greater Manchester, people always talk to me about football. I’m proud that we’re not only home to two of the world’s biggest football clubs, but also to proud local teams and a thriving grassroots game too. It was fantastic to come and learn about this project first-hand and see such great enthusiasm from young people and their coaches.

“Our mission to India is about strengthening our ties in sport and culture as well as finding new trade and investment opportunities which create jobs in Greater Manchester. Football is such a massive part of who we are in the North of England – and as I saw today, it’s clearly a part of our identity we share with India.”

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said: “Anyone who knows the Liverpool City Region knows what football means to us. We’re home to some of the biggest clubs in the world, but the game’s about far more than what happens on the pitch on a Saturday afternoon.

“It can give young people confidence, bring communities together and open doors that might otherwise have stayed closed. That’s why the work the Premier League is doing with grassroots coaches in India is so valuable.

“We’re out here to build stronger relationships between our region and India, and football has a big part to play in that. Whether it’s creating opportunities for young people, helping coaches develop their skills and inspire the next generation, or just bringing supporters together, the game has a special way of connecting people across borders.”

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New Delhi, 1 October 2026: The Premier League has launched ‘Premier League Park’, a first-of-its-kind destination in India, in Chattarpur, New Delhi. The facility aims to bring the football community closer to the Premier League by creating more opportunities to watch, play and experience the game. A year-round calendar of fan engagement initiatives includes football tournaments and screenings, establishing the venue as a hub for football fans and players in NCR.

With football forming the core of the PL Park experience, the venue features two seven-a-side pitches and a dedicated events and social area. The venue, developed and operated by GoalTech Innovation India Pvt. Ltd. (through the Claygrounds brand), also features pickleball and padel courts, as well as Premier League partner experiences, bringing together a wider mix of sports, entertainment and leisure activities.

Together, these facilities create a destination that will offer new ways for existing and new fans to connect with the League and football as a whole.

Premier League India Managing Director Hrishikesh Shende, said: “India’s Premier League fans are among the most passionate anywhere, and that community keeps growing each season. PL Park brings the League closer to them with a dedicated place to celebrate, experience and share their passion for the Premier League.”

The opening of Premier League Park further reinforces the League’s long-term commitment to India, building on nearly two decades of investment in football in the country. It follows the opening of the Mumbai office in April 2025, which established a permanent presence and strengthened engagement with fans, broadcast partner JioStar and football stakeholders. Premier League Park builds on this growing presence by providing a dedicated venue for fans to experience and engage with Premier League football throughout the year.

About the Premier League
The Premier League produces some of the most competitive and compelling football in the world. The League and its clubs use the power and popularity of the competition to inspire fans, communities and partners in the UK and across the world. The Premier League brings people together from all backgrounds. It is a competition for everyone, everywhere and is available to watch in 1.2 billion homes in 189 countries.

About GoalTech
GoalTech Innovation India Pvt. Ltd. operates ClayGrounds, India’s largest sports facility brand. Headquartered in Delhi, it runs a network of 35+ multi-sport venues across India, powered by a technology-driven booking platform. Beyond venues, ClayGrounds builds sports infrastructure, football academies and event IPs, it aims to build India’s sports ecosystem from the ground up.

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Sunday at the Barclays Premier League LIVE saw a sea of football fans who came down to experience the free and interactive two-day fan park at MMRDA Grounds – Bandra Kurla Complex of Mumbai! Fans queued in for autograph signing sessions with BPL Legends like Robbie Fowler, Peter Schmeichel, Lee Trundle, Mark Bright and more, take pics with the official BPL trophy, test their football talent at the skills zone and learn unique and interesting trivia about their favorite clubs at their respective tents. A massive army of red turned up to watch the evening screening of the Manchester United vs Liverpool BPL match! Premier League’s lead anchor – John Dykes was present to oversee the entire event, and what better than a live commentary with Liverpool and Manchester United Legends – Robbie Fowler and Peter Schmeichel to keep the crowd entertained at all times!

Brief pointers about BPL Live weekend (13^th & 14^th December at MMRDA Grounds, BKC)

1. Barclays and the Premier League brought the world’s most watched league to Mumbai.
2. BPL Live was about bringing the excitement and passion of a Barclays Premier League match to international fans who would otherwise be unable to attend.
3. Barclays Premier League Live was a free event for India’s growing number of football fans.
4. The Barclays Premier League is the most competitive and most watched league in the world, available in 175 countries every weekend.

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