Three films celebrate the undying passion of Premier League fans across India through the lens of a long-distance love story
Each celebrity superfan brings their own “long-distance love story” to life, turning devoted Indian fandom into something every fan can relate to
The 2026/27 Premier League season kicks off on August 22, live and exclusive on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network
JioStar, the official broadcast and digital partner for the Premier League in India has launched its campaign for the new season, titled ‘Humara Long Distance Love’. The campaign comprises three films starring actor Tiger Shroff and cricketers Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag, each a genuine Premier League superfan with their own long-distance love story. The campaign sets out to create euphoria around the start of the new season and rally Indian fans behind the clubs and competition they have chosen to make their own.
The campaign celebrates what Premier League fandom in India is all about. It plays on the idea that no one handed these fans their club allegiance by birth or postcode, but they chose it, built their lives around it, and kept choosing it, through the 1 AM kick-offs, group-chat wars, and years that test even the most devoted supporter. The campaign turns this truth into something every Indian fan can recognize and feel proud of.
Each film follows the same narrative device of a celebrity superfan’s candid monologue that leads the audience to believe they are hearing a confession about the struggles and efforts of a romantic long-distance relationship, before a reveal shows that the devotion was always for their club.
In ‘The Workout’, Tiger Shroff channels his frustrations through an intense gym session before pulling a Manchester United jersey from his bag and reaffirming his love for the club. In ‘The Date’, Riyan Parag seemingly prepares for a date at home, only for the door to open on a group of friends in Manchester United jerseys, arriving to watch the season opener. In ‘The Long Wait’, Sanju Samson, perpetually on the road, reflects on sustaining a long-distance relationship across time zones, before his hotel room fills with friends in Liverpool jerseys for the kick-off.
Sharing his thoughts on the campaign, Tiger Shroff said, “Being a football fan teaches you that you don’t just support a club when it’s winning—you stand by it through every high and every low. That kind of loyalty is something I genuinely relate to. As fans, we invest so much emotionally, and every Premier League supporter in India knows exactly what that journey feels like. I think JioStar’s campaign captures that passion and commitment beautifully”
Sanju Samson said, “As a cricketer, I am always travelling, always on the road, and yet no matter where I am in the world, Liverpool’s matches are non-negotiable. That is what it means to be a die-hard fan. The distance and sacrifices are real, but so is the love. I am glad this campaign gives that feeling a voice, because millions of Indian fans live it every single week and it is something worth celebrating.”
Speaking about the film, Riyan Parag said, “I’ve been a Manchester United fan for as long as I can remember, and honestly, it’s the very definition of a long-distance relationship. The early mornings, the hope, the heartbreak, and yet you never stop showing up. That’s what this film is about, and I think every Premier League fan in India is going to recognize their own story in it. That passion is real, and it deserves to be celebrated.”
Prashant Khanna, Head – Sports: Rights & Innovation, JioStar, said “The Premier League has one of the most passionate and deeply invested fan bases in India, and what has always fascinated us is how organically this fandom has grown. Nobody told these fans which club to support. They found their club, fell in love with it, and have remained devoted to it through the late nights, early mornings, the heartbreak, and everything in between. ‘Humara Long Distance Love’ is a celebration of that devotion and a tribute to the millions of Indian fans who live this journey every single week. As the new season begins, this campaign is our way of recognizing that passion and celebrating the fans who have made the Premier League a part of their lives.”
The 2026/27 Premier League season runs from August 22, 2026, to May 30, 2027. Arsenal enters as defending champions and is the only team with the same manager for more than five seasons. Nine clubs have appointed a new manager during the summer transfer window, while five managers will be taking charge of a Premier League match for the first time in their coaching careers. Arsenal will take on newly promoted Coventry City on the opening night. All 380 matches from this season will be live and exclusive in India on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network.