Kerala Blasters Agree 100% Sale to UAE’s Al Fursan Consortium

Kerala Blasters FC have entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of 100% of the club to UAE-based sports and sports-tech consortium Al Fursan, ending Magnum Sports Private Limited’s ownership era. The acquisition will be completed in phases over eight months, subject to applicable regulatory and league requirements, with the new ownership set to assume responsibility from the 2026-27 season.

Al Fursan is led by Sheikh Ahmad bin Faisal Al Qasimi, while Dr Dunston Pereira serves as director. The agreement gives Kerala Blasters a new investment and management structure ahead of the 2026-27 Indian Super League campaign, while the club’s immediate sporting base will remain in Kochi.

Phased transition planned ahead of 2026-27 season

Magnum Sports, a Hyderabad-based company, has owned Kerala Blasters since 2016. The financial terms of the transaction have not been officially disclosed by the club or the incoming owners. A reported estimate of around ₹120 crore has been cited by sources, but that figure has not been confirmed.

Kerala Blasters CEO Abhik Chatterjee said the ownership transition will take place in phases, with club operations and preparations for the new season continuing through the process. That continuity is significant as the club moves into a new cycle of planning for the 2026-27 season rather than pausing its football or commercial work during the change in ownership.

For the current season, Kerala-based sports management company Ofioh Sporty will handle the club’s commercial and operational activities. CEO Thameem Anwar and co-founder Sharath Kuniyil will oversee that operational mandate under Al Fursan’s strategic direction.

Al Fursan describes its focus as spanning football, sports technology, infrastructure and the fan economy. Its arrival therefore brings a broader sports-business platform into the ownership structure, alongside the immediate task of running an Indian Super League club and preparing its squad and staff for the next campaign.

Kochi remains the immediate home base

Kerala Blasters will continue to play home matches at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi during the 2026-27 season, despite earlier speculation about a possible move to another city in Kerala. Discussions around the stadium’s rental arrangement are expected to continue.

The incoming management has also indicated an ambition to develop a dedicated stadium for the club. Ofioh Sporty’s Thameem Anvar said discussions on a new facility are underway, with further information expected as part of the proposed Project Blasters. No further details on the facility have been announced.

Keeping Kochi as the club’s immediate base gives the transition a clear short-term footing. While longer-term infrastructure discussions continue, the 2026-27 season is set to be staged from the venue that has been identified for the club’s home matches.

Football planning continues under new structure

On the football side, Ashley Westwood will continue as head coach. The club has already identified and shortlisted players and staff for the new season, and new signing announcements are expected soon.

Birbal Sports & Entertainment facilitated the acquisition. Founded by Jitesh Mehta and Ronak Dalal, the company will continue to work with Kerala Blasters on player identification and recruitment for the 2026-27 season.

The agreement means Kerala Blasters approach the next ISL season with a planned ownership handover, continued coaching leadership and an operational arrangement already in place. Regulatory and league requirements still apply to the phased acquisition, but the stated timetable places Al Fursan at the centre of the club’s next chapter from 2026-27.