For Indian Super League (ISL) club Sporting Club Delhi, the 2025-26 season presents a two-pronged challenge. In addition to ensuring that the results on the pitch are desirable, it has to forge a fresh identity that resonates with the national capital and its football fans. 

Having existed as Hyderabad FC since the onset of the 2019-20 edition, the club’s financial troubles led to a change of ownership in 2024. With the entity now rebranding itself as SC Delhi, the current campaign marks the start of a new chapter in the northern metropolis.

According to SC Delhi coach Tomasz Tchorz, the emergence of an ardent fan base is often a by-product of on-field success. As far as the latter is concerned, the first four matches haven’t been ideal. It lost its first three games before managing a 2-2 draw against Mumbai City, thus languishing at 13th in the league standings. The club’s first home fixture against second-placed Jamshedpur FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Thursday is a chance to get back on track.

“I think fans will start coming when results will be there. That sparks interest for fans to come and support the team because everyone wants to be a part of something successful,” Tchorz said.