MUMBAI: Mumbai City FC could be forced to look outside the city for a home venue for the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season after the club was quoted a massive 250% increase in the rent for using the Mumbai Football Arena at the Andheri Sports Complex, according to sources in the football fraternity.The ISL season is likely to begin mid-October.The BMC, which owns and manages the Andheri Sports Complex, has proposed a 250% increase over the approximately Rs 10 lakh the ISL club paid per game two seasons ago. With Mumbai City scheduled to play around 10 home games, the increased ground rental could significantly add to the club’s seasonal expenditure.The development would have left the club concerned, with negotiations between the two sides understood to be ongoing. The club will hope the talks will result in a more favourable arrangement, particularly as the Mumbai Football Arena has developed into something of a fortress for the team.The financial implications are significant at a time when ISL clubs are attempting to reduce expenditure following Reliance’s (FSDL) exit from the league. Besides paying the venue rental, Mumbai City has also invested in refurbishing seats and maintaining the stadium/pitch during the seven to eight months that the ISL season runs.Prashant Damle, who was appointed managing trustee of the Brihanmumbai Sports and Fine Arts Foundation in July this year, which manages the ground, said, “We are studying the rates at which the ground was rented out during the Covid period and before that, and comparing them with the rates being charged now. We want to understand whether the current charges are commensurate with the nature and duration of the events being held. In the case of the Indian Super League, the ground would be required for only around 10 matches, although the arrangement would extend over a period of approximately eight months. We are still studying the matter, and no final decision has been taken on the charges yet.”The latest development comes against the backdrop of growing uncertainty over the availability of football infrastructure in Mumbai. The BMC has already approved a proposal to change the reservation of the Neville D’Souza Football Ground at Bandra Reclamation from a playground to a convention and exhibition centre. The BMC has received plenty of flak for the same, with three protests already being held at the ground.Mumbai City faced considerable difficulty securing the Andheri venue even during the truncated 2025-26 ISL season, held between February and May this year. The club’s home venue was not finalised until very late despite the ISL schedule having been announced. At one stage, Mumbai City had even considered Goa and Kerala as possible alternate venues. A similar situation could now arise if an agreement with the BMC over the revised rental cannot be reached.The club’s ownership structure has also changed significantly. City Football Group (CFG), which owns English giants Manchester City, parted ways with Mumbai City FC late last year. CFG had cited uncertainty over the future of the ISL as the reason for its decision.Mumbai City will hope the ongoing discussions yield positive results as a move outside Mumbai would not only add logistical costs but also deprive the club of the home advantage it has built at the venue over the years.(With inputs from Richa Pinto)
