Al Fursan signs agreement to acquire Kerala Blasters ahead of ISL 2026-27
Al Fursan, a UAE-based sports and sports-tech consortium led by Sheikh Ahmad bin Faisal Al Qasimi, announced on 29 September 2026 that it has signed a definitive agreement with Magnum Group to acquire Kerala Blasters Football Club, with the takeover scheduled to be completed ahead of the Indian Super League 2026-27 season.
Under the terms of the agreement, Al Fursan will acquire 100% ownership of Kerala Blasters FC over the course of eight months, subject to the agreement’s conditions and applicable regulatory and league requirements, and the new ownership will assume responsibility for the club from the 2026-27 season. Al Fursan describes itself as a UAE-based sports and sports-tech consortium focused on investing in, building and operating opportunities across football, sports technology, sports infrastructure, fan economy and related sectors; Dr. Dunston Pereira is named as a Director of the consortium.
Preparations for the 2026-27 campaign are already in motion: players and staff have been identified and shortlisted and a series of player announcements is expected shortly. Ashley Westwood will serve as Head Coach of Kerala Blasters FC for the 2026-27 season. The club’s pre-season preparations will commence at the FC Madras facility in Mahabalipuram from 30 September 2026, with the new ownership and management prioritising provision of structure, resources and support for the football department to prepare competitively for the season ahead.
Birbal Sports & Entertainment, led by founders Jitesh Mehta and Ronak Dalal, played a role in facilitating the transaction and bringing the parties together and will continue its association with Kerala Blasters. Birbal Sports has been mandated to support player identification and recruitment for the 2026-27 season, working alongside the new ownership and the club’s football management.
Al Fursan has appointed Ofioh Sports as the club’s operational partner; the operational mandate will be led by Thameem Anwar, CEO of Ofioh, alongside Shararh Kuniyil, Co-Founder of Ofioh. Ofioh will operate under the strategic direction of Al Fursan to support the club’s day-to-day management, operational execution and implementation of the new ownership’s plans.
The consortium is developing a long-term programme for the club under the initiative titled Project Blasters, which will seek to build a broader ecosystem around Kerala Blasters encompassing football, sports technology, commercial ventures, fan engagement, infrastructure, community development and new opportunities around the club’s brand and intellectual property. Project Blasters will be officially launched in the UAE in the coming weeks, where Al Fursan will unveil its long-term vision, strategic roadmap and plans for the future of Kerala Blasters; further details regarding the UAE launch will be announced separately.
Kerala Blasters is described in the announcement as having one of India’s most passionate football communities, with an identity closely connected to Kerala and its supporters; Al Fursan says it intends to preserve and strengthen that identity while investing in the club’s sporting, operational and commercial development. The consortium states its objective is to build a sustainable and ambitious future for Kerala Blasters while maintaining a strong connection with supporters and the club’s culture.
The definitive agreement sets an eight-month timeline for the transfer to be completed, subject to regulatory and league approvals, and Al Fursan will take formal responsibility for the club from the 2026-27 season; meanwhile pre-season training begins at FC Madras in Mahabalipuram on 30 September 2026 and Project Blasters’ UAE launch is due in the coming weeks, with further announcements to follow.