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Established in 2013 with the objective of elevating India's presence in global football, Bengaluru Football Club is under the ownership of the JSW Group and hosts its home matches at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

Following a triumphant inaugural season, during which the team secured a groundbreaking championship, the club relocated from the Bangalore Football Stadium to the 24,000-seater Kanteerava Stadium. In their second season, Bengaluru FC achieved runner-up status in the League and clinched the Federation Cup.

Emerging victorious in the I-League during the 2013-14 season earned Bengaluru FC the opportunity to represent India in Asian competitions. The team participated in the playoff round of the AFC Champions League and subsequently advanced to the Round of 16 in the AFC Cup, showcasing commendable performances. In their third season, the Blues reclaimed the I-League title and reached the historic milestone of becoming the first Indian club to reach the final of the AFC Cup, ultimately losing 1-0 to Air Force Club in Doha.

The club secured its second Federation Cup title in 2017 before transitioning to the Indian Super League, where they finished as runners-up in the 2017-18 season. The Blues concluded the season on a high note by winning the inaugural Super Cup, accumulating a total of five trophies in just five years.

Known as 'The Blues,' Bengaluru FC is a club dedicated to its fans, carrying their support wherever they play. The team is committed to both on-field and off-field excellence, aiming to influence the future of Indian football. Their distinctive style of play is not only about achieving success but also about nurturing the next generation of professional footballers through their youth academy.

Established on July 20, 2013, by the JSW Group, Bengaluru FC held a grand inauguration event at the Bangalore Football Stadium, which was declared as the team's home ground for the upcoming season. The inaugural coach, Albert Roca, was introduced during this period. The team achieved its first victory on October 7, 2013, in a match against Goa at the Bangalore Football Stadium, while their encounter with Mohun Bagan on September 22, 2013, resulted in a 1-1 draw. From 2015 to 2018, Bengaluru FC proudly represented India in the Asian club competition, participating in the AFC Cup for four consecutive years. Notably, the team reached the final of the 2016 AFC Cup, where they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya from Iraq.

The JSW Group, headed by Sajjan Jindal and O.P Jindal, currently owns the team. Sajjan Jindal serves as the Chairman of Bengaluru FC. The team's home matches are played at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, which is under the ownership of the Karnataka Athletic Association. With a capacity to accommodate 25,810 spectators, the stadium is versatile and hosts various sports such as rock climbing, volleyball, running, among others, in addition to football.

In their inaugural season, Bengaluru FC held their home games at the Bangalore Football Stadium, situated in the city center. The primary stand on the west side, which accommodated VIP boxes during I-League and other significant matches, was both the largest and most spacious. The decision to use the Bangalore Football Stadium for the 2013-14 I-League season was revealed during the club's launch. With a seating capacity of 15,000, the stadium featured an astroturf-covered pitch.

Transitioning into the 2014-15 season, Bengaluru FC shifted their home games to the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, boasting a capacity of 24,000. The Sree Kanteerava Stadium has eight entrances, and nine stands are utilized for Bengaluru FC matches. Notably, West Block A stand, the largest in the stadium, serves as the home for the West Block Blues supporters' club. Responding to criticisms regarding the artificial pitch at the Bangalore Football Stadium, the new stadium adopted a natural grass covering. All stands, with the exception of the North Stand, offer permanent seating. Some enthusiasts affectionately refer to the Sree Kanteerava Stadium as 'The Fortress.'

Role

Name

Head coach

Gerard Zaragoza (Spain)

Assistant coach

Neil McDonald (England), Renedy Singh (India)

Goalkeeping coach

David Preece (England)

Strength and conditioning coach

Josh Snowden (England)

Reserves coach

Bibiano Fernandes (India)

Academy head coach

Sandesh Bhoite (India)

Head Physio

Naved Hameed (India)

Assistant physio

Aditya Shankar (India)

Masseur

Manu Prasad (India)

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Bengaluru FC was established in 2013.

The fanbase of Bengaluru FC is famously referred to as the "West Block Blues", known for generating an electrifying ambiance within the stadium during matches.

The motto of Bengaluru FC is "Play with Courage", which signifies their unwavering determination to approach each game with bravery and wholeheartedly embrace their attacking style of play.

Over the years, Bengaluru FC has relied on prominent players such as Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Udanta Singh, Harmanjot Khabra, Erik Paartalu, and Juanan Gonzalez, who have played crucial roles within the team.

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