MUMBAI: The opening match of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) season 4, ATK and Kerala Blasters FC, got 25 million total TV impressions with a 59 per cent growth in viewership over last year’s first game, as per data shared by the broadcaster.

The stadium was packed to the brim. The game recorded 7.4 million average impressions, which is double the India vs USA opening game at U-17 FIFA World Cup 2017.

Star India MD Sanjay Gupta said, “We are thrilled with the response that The Hero Indian Super League is getting from football fans across India. The growth demonstrated is across urban, rural and digital audiences which indeed proves that Future Hai Football! We are looking forward to having an exhilarating journey on this biggest ever season of the league.”

ISL Season 4 began on 17 November, and can be watched live on Star Sports network and Hotstar. A total of 95 matches will be played in the 2017-18 season between 10 teams. The season will be held over 17 weeks since two new teams have been added. The two-legged semi-finals of the ISL league are scheduled to take place in the second week of March 2018