Pune to co-host SFL Football League Season 2 with Bhutia leading the launch
Pune, 20th September 2025: Indian football icon and former captain Bhaichung Bhutia set the tone for India’s biggest grassroots football celebration as he unveiled the trophy for SFL Football League Season 2 at a glittering launch event held at Hotel Rangsharda, Mumbai, on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
Organised by Sports For Life (SFL), the league kicks off on October 5, 2025, bringing six months of competitive, tech-powered football to both Mumbai and Pune. After a successful debut in Mumbai last year, Pune now steps in as co-host for the first time, making this season bigger, more inclusive, and more exciting for young footballers across Maharashtra.
Open to boys, girls, and co-ed teams aged 5 to 18, the league will feature over 2000 matches, 3000+ players, and 6000+ fans, backed by official affiliations with the Mumbai Football Association (MFA), Pune District Football Association (PDFA), and AIFF Blue Cubs. In a first for grassroots football in India, every match will be live-streamed and supported with AI-powered analytics, offering players a professional matchday experience and unparalleled development tools.
Bhaichung Bhutia, who has long championed grassroots development, underlined the importance of the league said at the launch: “India needs strong grassroots systems if we want to compete globally. A league like SFL gives children the chance to play consistently, experience professional matchdays, and dream bigger. This is where the next generation of footballers will come from.”
Speaking on the vision behind SFL, Sourjyendu Medda, CEO & Co-founder, said: “Our mission is to create India’s most connected grassroots football ecosystem. The expansion into Pune is a big step in that direction.”
Meanwhile, Armaan Tandon, COO & Co-founder, added: “Every child deserves the opportunity to play in a structured, competitive environment. SFL is about bringing communities together while raising the standard of youth football.”
With Mumbai hosting its second edition and Pune stepping in as a co-host for the very first time, SFL Football League 2025-26 promises to be more than a competition, it is a movement shaping India’s future stars.
