Premier Futsal League

{{Infobox football league

| name = Premier Futsal

|organiser = Futsal Association of India

| logo =

| country = India (originally)

| founded = 5 April 2016

| conferences =

| teams = 16 (proposed)

| levels =

| tv = Sony SIX
Sony ESPN
Sony Aath

| website =

|current =

|champions = Mumbai Warriors

}}

The Premier Futsal is an Indian franchise-based futsal league conceptualised by Indian entrepreneurs under the entity of Pvt. Ltd. It was founded by Abhinandan Balasubramanian, Dinesh Raj and Nithyashree Subban, backed by business magnate Xavier Britto and his wife, philanthropist Vimala Rani Britto.

Format

Each playing team consists of three international futsal players, one international marquee football player and one Indian futsal player. Every squad is allowed a maximum of twelve players.{{fact|date=August 2022}}

Premier Futsal conducted a talent hunt programme across eight cities called Launchpad to scout and select Indian players. The programme combed through 2500 participants per city to shortlist five regional players for each team.{{cite web|title=Football's T20 moment|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/article/sports/footballs-t20-moment/237966/|website=Financial Express|date=17 April 2016|access-date=12 May 2016|archive-date=23 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423125425/http://www.financialexpress.com/article/sports/footballs-t20-moment/237966/|url-status=live}} Mumbai 5's won the inaugural Premier Futsal by defeating Kochi 5's in the penalty shootout.{{fact|date=August 2022}}

Management team

Xavier Britto - Chairman & investor of Premier Futsal, founder & chairman of Estell group of hotels & Kerry Indev Logistics{{cite web|title=Esthell Group Launches Rs 50-crore Esthell Village Resort at Thirukazhukundram|url=http://www.businesswireindia.com/news/news-details/esthell-group-launches-rs-50-crore-esthell-village-resort-at-thirukazh/24019|website=Businesswire India|date=23 September 2010|access-date=12 May 2016|archive-date=11 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611193321/http://www.businesswireindia.com/news/news-details/esthell-group-launches-rs-50-crore-esthell-village-resort-at-thirukazh/24019|url-status=live}} & Indev Logistics{{cite web|title=Indev Logistics to launch coastal shipping services|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/indev-logistics-to-launch-coastal-shipping-services/article4928342.ece|website=Hindu Business Line|date=18 July 2013|access-date=12 May 2016|archive-date=23 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323102111/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/Indev-Logistics-to-launch-coastal-shipping-services/article20638994.ece|url-status=live}}
Dinesh Raj - Managing director of Premier Futsal, Guinness World Record holder for creating the India's largest human national flag
Abhinandan Balasubramanian - CEO of Premier Futsal, founder of AltFlo & ChefHost{{cite web|title=ChefHost brings bespoke professional cuisine to your dinner party|url=http://ventureburn.com/2014/10/chefhost-brings-bespoke-professional-cuisine-dinner-party/|website=Venture Burn|date=21 October 2014|access-date=12 May 2016|archive-date=5 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605014054/http://ventureburn.com/2014/10/chefhost-brings-bespoke-professional-cuisine-dinner-party/|url-status=live}}
Nithyashree Subban - Director of Finance & Strategy, Premier Futsal
Vimala Rani Britto - Director of Premier Futsal, Correspondent - St Britto's Group of Institutions, founder & chairperson - Seek Foundation, a non-profit organization, Chair - VKAN-V Solutions pvt Ltd, Author - FEFDY

Brand ambassadors

Indian cricket team batsman Virat Kohli has joined the Premier Futsal as its brand ambassador.{{cite web|title=Virat Kohli joins Premier Futsal football league as brand ambassador|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/virat-kohli-joins-premier-futsal-football-league-as-brand-ambassador/|website=The Indian Express|date=11 April 2016|access-date=13 May 2016|archive-date=16 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516100008/http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/virat-kohli-joins-premier-futsal-football-league-as-brand-ambassador/|url-status=live}}

Premier Futsal attracted a lot of fans when they signed one of the best futsal players in the world, Alessandro Rosa Vieira, popularly known as Falcão.{{cite web|title=Pelé of futsal in India: Premier Futsal signs Brazilian star Falcao for inaugural season|url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/pele-of-futsal-in-india-premier-futsal-brazialin-star-falcao-for-inaugural-season-2778628.html|website=Hindustan Times|date=12 May 2016|access-date=13 May 2016|archive-date=16 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516013628/http://www.firstpost.com/sports/pele-of-futsal-in-india-premier-futsal-brazialin-star-falcao-for-inaugural-season-2778628.html|url-status=live}}

On 12 May 2016, Virat Kohli along with Falcão facilitated the launch of the nationwide talent hunt to select 40 players who will represent their respective cities in the first season of Premier Futsal.{{cite web|title=Virat Kohli launches Premier Futsal League's nationwide talent hunt|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/virat-kohli-launches-premier-futsal-league-s-nationwide-talent-hunt/story-gkivVLyh8QOjagBdIZFxOO.html|website=Hindustan Times|date=12 May 2016|access-date=13 May 2016|archive-date=8 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808104141/http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/virat-kohli-launches-premier-futsal-league-s-nationwide-talent-hunt/story-gkivVLyh8QOjagBdIZFxOO.html|url-status=live}}

Anthem

The Premier Futsal anthem Naam Hai Futsal had its tunes set by two-time Academy Award winner A. R. Rahman with vocals also provided by Karthik, Lady Kash and Virat Kohli.

Previous teams

class="wikitable" style="text-align:left"
style="background:#08088A" \| {{color\|#FFFFFF\|Team}} ! style="background:#08088A" \| {{color\|#FFFFFF\|City}} ! style="background:#08088A" \| {{color\|#FFFFFF\|Owner}} ! style="background:#08088A" \| {{color\|#FFFFFF\|Marquee}} ! style="background:#08088A" \| {{color\|#FFFFFF\|Head coach}}
Kolkata 5's \| Kolkata, West Bengal \| Grassroot Entertainment Pvt. Ltd \| {{flagicon\|ARG}} Hernán Crespo \| Christian Roldan
Chennai Singhams \| Chennai, Tamil Nadu \| The Hindu \| {{flagicon\|BRA}} Falcão \| Falcão
Bengaluru Royals \| Bengaluru, Karnataka \| Puneeth Rajkumar{{Cite web\|url=https://wap.business-standard.com/article-amp/pti-stories/actor-rajkumar-buys-bengaluru-franchise-of-premier-futsal-116071101065_1.html\|title=Actor Rajkumar buys Bengaluru franchise of Premier Futsal\|access-date=29 June 2020\|archive-date=29 June 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629065748/https://wap.business-standard.com/article-amp/pti-stories/actor-rajkumar-buys-bengaluru-franchise-of-premier-futsal-116071101065_1.html\|url-status=live}} \| {{flagicon\|ENG}} Paul Scholes \| Juan Jose Bernal Cierre
Telugu Tigers \| Hyderabad, Telangana \| Rana Daggubati Esa Mohammed and Jonaid Bin Tajuddin Al Mohammed \| {{flagicon\|POR}} Deco \|
Kerala Cobras \| Kochi, Kerala \| ES Entertainment \| {{flagicon\|ESP}} Míchel Salgado \| Sergio Sapo
Mumbai Warriors \| Mumbai, Maharashtra \| DC Design \| {{flagicon\|WAL}} Ryan Giggs \| Ney Pereira
Delhi Dragons \| \| New Delhi \| \| \| {{flagicon\|BRA}} Ronaldinho \|
Goa's \| Goa \| \| \| {{flagicon\|BRA}} Cafu \|

class="wikitable" style="text-align:left"

style="background:#08088A" | {{color|#FFFFFF|Team}}

! style="background:#08088A" | {{color|#FFFFFF|City}}

! style="background:#08088A" | {{color|#FFFFFF|Owner}}

! style="background:#08088A" | {{color|#FFFFFF|Marquee}}

! style="background:#08088A" | {{color|#FFFFFF|Head coach}}

Kolkata 5's

| Kolkata, West Bengal

| Grassroot Entertainment Pvt. Ltd

| {{flagicon|ARG}} Hernán Crespo

| Christian Roldan

Chennai Singhams

| Chennai, Tamil Nadu

| The Hindu

| {{flagicon|BRA}} Falcão

| Falcão

Bengaluru Royals

| Bengaluru, Karnataka

| Puneeth Rajkumar{{Cite web|url=https://wap.business-standard.com/article-amp/pti-stories/actor-rajkumar-buys-bengaluru-franchise-of-premier-futsal-116071101065_1.html|title=Actor Rajkumar buys Bengaluru franchise of Premier Futsal|access-date=29 June 2020|archive-date=29 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629065748/https://wap.business-standard.com/article-amp/pti-stories/actor-rajkumar-buys-bengaluru-franchise-of-premier-futsal-116071101065_1.html|url-status=live}}

| {{flagicon|ENG}} Paul Scholes

| Juan Jose Bernal Cierre

Telugu Tigers

| Hyderabad, Telangana

| Rana Daggubati Esa Mohammed and Jonaid Bin Tajuddin Al Mohammed

| {{flagicon|POR}} Deco

Kerala Cobras

| Kochi, Kerala

| ES Entertainment

| {{flagicon|ESP}} Míchel Salgado

| Sergio Sapo

Mumbai Warriors

| Mumbai, Maharashtra

| DC Design

| {{flagicon|WAL}} Ryan Giggs

| Ney Pereira

Delhi Dragons

| | New Delhi

| |

| {{flagicon|BRA}} Ronaldinho

Goa's

| Goa

| |

| {{flagicon|BRA}} Cafu

Results

=By season=

class="sortable wikitable"
style="background:#08088A"\|{{color\|#FFFFFF\|Season}} !style="background:#08088A"\|{{color\|#FFFFFF\|Date}} !style="background:#08088A"\|{{color\|#FFFFFF\|Winner}} !style="background:#08088A"\|{{color\|#FFFFFF\|Score}} !style="background:#08088A"\|{{color\|#FFFFFF\|Runners–up}} !style="background:#08088A"\|{{color\|#FFFFFF\|Venue}} !style="background:#08088A"\|{{color\|#FFFFFF\|Player of the tournament}} !style="background:#08088A"\|{{color\|#FFFFFF\|Semi-finalists}}
align=center\|2016 \|24 July \|Mumbai \|align=center\|1(3)–1(2) \|Kerala \|Peddem Sports Complex, Mapusa, Goa \|{{flagicon\|BRA}} Chaguinha \|Kolkata Goa
align=center\|2017 \|1 October \|Mumbai \|align=center\|3–2 \|Delhi \|Al Wasl Indoor Stadium, Dubai \|{{flagicon\|BRA}} Ronaldinho \|Telugu Tigers Bengaluru Royals

class="sortable wikitable"

style="background:#08088A"|{{color|#FFFFFF|Season}}

!style="background:#08088A"|{{color|#FFFFFF|Date}}

!style="background:#08088A"|{{color|#FFFFFF|Winner}}

!style="background:#08088A"|{{color|#FFFFFF|Score}}

!style="background:#08088A"|{{color|#FFFFFF|Runners–up}}

!style="background:#08088A"|{{color|#FFFFFF|Venue}}

!style="background:#08088A"|{{color|#FFFFFF|Player of the tournament}}

!style="background:#08088A"|{{color|#FFFFFF|Semi-finalists}}

align=center|2016

|24 July

|Mumbai

|align=center|1(3)–1(2)

|Kerala

|Peddem Sports Complex, Mapusa, Goa

|{{flagicon|BRA}} Chaguinha

|Kolkata
Goa

align=center|2017

|1 October

|Mumbai

|align=center|3–2

|Delhi

|Al Wasl Indoor Stadium, Dubai

|{{flagicon|BRA}} Ronaldinho

|Telugu Tigers
Bengaluru Royals

Telecast

Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt. Ltd. acquired exclusive rights to broadcast Premier Futsal. As part of the agreement, all Premier Futsal matches will be televised live on Sony SIX, Sony ESPN and Sony Aath. Matches will also be available to live stream on Sony LIV.{{cite web|title=Sony Pictures to broadcast Premier Futsal matches live|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/sony-pictures-to-broadcast-premier-futsal-matches-live/article8654911.ece|website=Business Line|date=27 May 2016|access-date=13 July 2016|archive-date=9 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709220632/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/sony-pictures-to-broadcast-premier-futsal-matches-live/article8654911.ece|url-status=live}}

In Indonesia, all Premier Futsal matches also broadcast live on nonton.com (2016 only){{Cite web|url=http://www.nonton.com/premier-futsal-league|title=Premier Futsal League 2016|last=Indonesia|first=Nonton.com - Website video stream terbesar di|website=Nonton.com|language=id-ID|access-date=2018-09-23|archive-date=27 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927004258/http://www.nonton.com/premier-futsal-league|url-status=live}} and Super Soccer TV (from 2017).{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BZA-BGmAOKs/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BZA-BGmAOKs |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=Super Soccer TV on Instagram: "Premier Futsal 2017 kali ini spesial, selain bintang dunia Ronaldinho, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Deco, Hernan Crespo, dan Michael Salgado.…"|website=Instagram|language=en|access-date=2018-09-23}}{{cbignore}}