The data from LaLiga’s [The popular Spanish Soccer League] digital presence has revealed that the number of users in India engaging with LaLiga content across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube has grown 3X within the last one year.

An event at Guwahati. celebrating five years of LaLiga in India with Jose Antonio Cachaza, Managing Director, LaLiga India and Aakriti Vohra, India Delegate, LaLiga Global Network participating was a tribute to the Northeast India’s love of the beautiful game.

The New Delhi office of LaLiga, which is the league’s second office in Asia, was set up in 2017.

The Northeastern states, and in particular, Assam has always been a significant contributor to LaLiga viewership in India, with the matches and content being broadcast on Viacom18 channels and platforms, MTV, Sports18 and VootSelect, said a statement.

Jose Antonio Cachaza, Managing Director, LaLiga India, said, “Coming into this country, we had already identified the markets that have significant football following and Assam had been one of them. But, the depth of the bond we’ve seen people from this region have with the sport has surpassed our expectations. We are constantly working towards improving our offering and the fan experience to keep our new and potential fans engaged and excited. In the coming seasons, LaLiga fans in India can expect bigger and better initiatives from us.”

The digital audience growth in the North-East region of India, specifically the Assam market, is a reflection of the appetite the people have for football. The focused initiatives LaLiga has taken in India to strengthen the connection with existing fans and expand the fan base have paid off. The top-tier league is more accessible for viewers across the country through partnerships with leading Indian companies like Viacom18, BKT, Hero Vired and Dream11, along with engagement activities and grassroots initiative. LaLiga has phenomenal witnessed growth in India since establishing presence in the country in 2017.

Kerala State has the largest fan base for LaLagila digital.

Earlier this year, LaLiga Managing Director, Jose Antonio Cachaza confirmed that two sides from the Spanish top-flight will play their pre-season friendlies for the 2023 season in India – a move which is seen as a bid to increase their connection with fans in the country.

Cachaza believes that LaLiga already has a big fan base in India and the league authorities are always looking at ways to increase their popularity here.

“Next year, having one pre-season game is a possibility and we’ll work towards it. It certainly is an important part of our strategy to bring more La Liga teams to India. We’re celebrating our first five years in India and at the heart of our strategy is increasing our connection with the fans here. That’s what we’ll keep doing, and we’re looking to find new ways to keep getting our clubs and players closer to the Indian fans. We have a good fanbase in India already,” he told media persons.

LaLiga giants, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are among some of the most popular football clubs in India. Two of the most popular footballers in India in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi represented the two giants in the past.

  FOOTBALL, LaLiga, soccer, sports