Kerala Blasters have new owners. Magnum Sports Private Limited has signed a definitive agreement to sell 100% of the Indian Super League club to Al Fursan, a UAE-based sports and sports-tech consortium. The deal was announced at a press conference in Kochi on 29 September 2026.
The takeover will not happen overnight. Ownership will move to Al Fursan in phases over the next eight months, and the new group takes responsibility for the club from the 2026-27 ISL season.
For the Manjappada, one of the loudest fan bases in Asian football, this is the biggest boardroom change in years. Here is everything we know so far about the Kerala Blasters takeover: who the new owners are, what the deal is worth, and what it means on the pitch.
Who are Kerala Blasters’ new owners?
Al Fursan (registered as Al Fursan Sports Investment LLC) is a UAE consortium that invests in football, sports technology, stadium infrastructure and the fan economy. It is led by Sheikh Ahmad bin Faisal Al Qasimi, with Dr. Dunston Pereira as Director. Reports link the group to Sharjah’s ruling Al Qasimi family.
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The club will not be run from Dubai day to day. Al Fursan has named Kerala-based firm Ofioh Sporty as its operational partner. Ofioh CEO Thameem Anwar and co-founder Sharath Kuniyil will manage daily operations under Al Fursan’s strategic direction.
Anwar had a clear message for worried supporters at the press conference: the club is in safe hands, and those hands are Malayali ones. Club operations will also stay in Kochi.
The deal was brokered by Birbal Sports & Entertainment (founders Jitesh Mehta and Ronak Dalal), which will now help with player scouting and recruitment for 2026-27.
Kerala Blasters takeover: deal details at a glance
| Detail | What we know |
|---|---|
| Buyer | Al Fursan Sports Investment LLC (UAE) |
| Seller | Magnum Sports Private Limited (Hyderabad) |
| Stake | 100% |
| Reported valuation | About ₹100–120 crore (not officially confirmed) |
| Payment | In tranches over eight months; first tranche reportedly paid |
| Conditions | Subject to regulatory and league approvals |
| New entity | Project Blasters Private Limited, registered in Bengaluru on 24 September 2026 |
| Operational partner | Ofioh Sporty (Kerala) |
| Head coach | Ashley Westwood (stays for 2026-27) |
| Base | Kochi (JLN Stadium) |
The club says operations and commitments to partners and fans will continue without disruption during the handover.
Why did Magnum Sports sell Kerala Blasters?
The outgoing shareholders said the decision came after long consideration. In their statement, they said they were handing over a stronger club with solid foundations, ready for the changes expected in Indian football. They also thanked Al Fursan for a professional process.
Their parting line to players, staff and fans was simple: Kerala Blasters will continue.
The sale ends months of speculation about the club’s future. Kerala Blasters were founded in 2014 with Sachin Tendulkar among the original co-owners, and Magnum Sports later became the sole owner. Outgoing CEO Abhik Chatterjee fronted Tuesday’s announcement.
What the takeover means for fans and the ISL 2026-27 season
On the pitch, nothing changes yet. Ashley Westwood stays as head coach. Pre-season starts on 30 September 2026 at the FC Madras facility in Mahabalipuram, near Chennai, and the squad announcement is due within days.
Off the pitch, the plan is bigger. Al Fursan has launched Project Blasters, a long-term plan that goes beyond the first team. It covers sports tech, commercial ventures, fan engagement, infrastructure and community work built around the Kerala Blasters brand. The full roadmap will be unveiled at a launch event in the UAE in the coming weeks.
The consortium says it wants to protect the club’s Kerala identity while investing in the sporting, operational and commercial side.
First fixtures of Phase 1 (14 matches):
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Kick-off (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Oct 2026 | Inter Kashi | Likely Ranchi (TBC) | 5:00 PM |
| 18 Oct 2026 | NorthEast United FC | Guwahati | TBC |
| 25 Oct 2026 | Mumbai City FC | Kochi (first home game) | 7:30 PM |
Why it matters for Indian football: Kerala Blasters join Mumbai City FC, majority-owned by Abu Dhabi-backed City Football Group, as an ISL club with Gulf-linked owners. Foreign capital in a club with this fan base could raise the commercial bar for the whole league.
FAQs: Kerala Blasters new owners
Who are the new owners of Kerala Blasters? Al Fursan, a UAE sports and sports-tech consortium led by Sheikh Ahmad bin Faisal Al Qasimi, is buying 100% of the club.
Who owned Kerala Blasters before? Magnum Sports Private Limited, a Hyderabad-based company.
How much did Al Fursan pay for Kerala Blasters? The price has not been officially disclosed. Reports put the valuation at roughly ₹100–120 crore.
When will the takeover be complete? In phases over eight months, subject to regulatory and league approvals.
Who will run Kerala Blasters day to day? Kerala-based Ofioh Sporty, led by CEO Thameem Anwar and co-founder Sharath Kuniyil.
Is Ashley Westwood still the Kerala Blasters coach? Yes. He stays as head coach for ISL 2026-27.
Will Kerala Blasters leave Kochi? No. The new owners say the club will keep operating from Kochi.
What is Project Blasters? Al Fursan’s long-term plan for the club, covering football, sports tech, fan engagement, infrastructure and commercial growth. It will launch in the UAE in the coming weeks.
Stay with iSportsLeague for live updates on the Kerala Blasters takeover and full ISL 2026-27 coverage.
