Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. has announced a long-term initiative to build a structured football ecosystem in India. The company will use its Zee5 platform to support talent identification, training, and grassroots development across the country.
Over the last three decades, Zee has consistently worked to positively impact lives through its content offerings and on-ground initiatives. As an “Academy of Talent,” it has shaped the media and entertainment industry by identifying and nurturing talent from across India, providing them a global platform.
The company has also played a significant role in sports development, particularly through cricket leagues, which triggered a paradigm shift in Indian cricket and helped talent rise to global levels. Building on this legacy, Zee is extending the same commitment to football.
Revenue model and FIFA partnership
As part of the initiative:
- 15% of Zee5 football-related subscription revenue will be allocated towards football development in India
- Funds will support structured training programs, grassroots leagues, and talent development
- Zee has a partnership with FIFA until 2034
The collaboration leverages FIFA’s global framework for:
- Talent discovery and development
- League ecosystem building
- Player and coach support systems
Grassroots ecosystem and talent pipeline
Zee plans to develop a structured football pathway across India:
- City-level leagues
- District-level competitions
- State-level tournaments
- National development programs
This structure aims to create a continuous pipeline from grassroots to professional football.
To strengthen execution, the company will:
- Onboard renowned football personalities as domain experts
- Collaborate with global, national, and state-level sporting bodies
- Define structured, action-oriented talent identification systems
The initiative also ensures talent discovery from every corner of India.
Subscriber participation and long-term vision
Zee5 subscribers will play a supporting role in the ecosystem by engaging with football content that contributes indirectly to talent identification and development efforts.
The long-term vision includes:
- Building a unified football ecosystem in India
- Developing globally competitive teams across age groups
- Targeting participation in Men’s and Women’s FIFA World Cups by 2034
- Strengthening football as a structured career path for youth
The initiative also highlights youth empowerment, emphasizing discipline, strength, confidence, and action through sport.
Speaking about this decision, Punit Goenka, Chief Executive Officer, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. said,
India has a vast, untapped reserve of football talent that harbours immense potential to compete on a global stage. As a responsible industry stakeholder and the home of football in India, it is our commitment to build a sustainable and enabling environment that nurtures the development of football in a holistic manner.
Through this initiative, we are enabling our football viewers to invest in the dreams of countless young Indians who aspire to play the beautiful game at a global stage. Our efforts aim to blend passion with opportunity and translate engagement into impact. With this initiative, we envision India firmly on the global football map, led by our future generations.