The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has decided to reserve more than 14,000 discounted tickets for members and supporters of three major Kolkata football clubs — Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting. The initiative is aimed at making it easier for more fans to watch India’s upcoming international friendly matches.
India are scheduled to play Panama on September 25 in Bengaluru. The team will then face Brazil and Uruguay in Kolkata between October 3 and 6. The matches will give Indian football fans an opportunity to watch the national team compete against some of the strongest teams in international football.
Under the ticket plan, seats in the B2 and D2 blocks will be reserved for members of the three clubs. The clubs can request tickets through the Indian Football Association (IFA), which will handle the distribution at discounted prices.
Club members will be able to collect their tickets directly from their respective club stadiums. The arrangement is also expected to help supporters who were unable to purchase tickets during the earlier ticket sale.
The AIFF also wants the matches to reach football fans beyond Kolkata. Grassroots players and supporters from other parts of the country will be given opportunities to be part of the celebrations. For fans who cannot travel to the stadium, the federation plans to organise Fan Parks in different districts.
The upcoming matches have attracted considerable attention because Brazil and Uruguay are among the highest-ranked teams in international football. Playing against such teams will give India an opportunity to test its players against strong opposition and gain experience at the international level.
Preparations for the Kolkata matches are also continuing. A team from the Brazilian Football Confederation recently inspected the venue and gave a positive assessment. There had been concerns about the condition of the pitch because of heavy use during the monsoon season, but improvement work has been carried out.
The AIFF is also working to ensure that the venue meets the required standards for hosting high-profile international matches. The federation is coordinating with the relevant authorities and stakeholders as preparations continue.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey said matches against teams of Brazil and Uruguay’s level are rare opportunities in Indian football. He highlighted the long-term value of playing against top international sides and said such games can help India understand its current level.
The matches are expected to attract large crowds and generate wider interest in football across the country. Along with giving Indian players valuable international experience, the AIFF hopes the series will encourage greater participation in football and support the development of the sport at the grassroots level.