135th IndianOil Durand Cup to Kick Off on July 25 Across Five Host Cities; Final in Kolkata on August 23
24 Teams to Battle Across Kolkata, Ranchi, Imphal, Shillong and Guwahati
By Antara Tripathy
Kolkata, July 1, 2026: The stage is set for the 135th edition of the IndianOil Durand Cup, as the Durand Cup Organising Committee officially announced the 24 participating teams and confirmed the match schedule across five host cities. The prestigious football tournament will begin in Kolkata on July 25 and conclude with the grand final at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on August 23.
Recognised as Asia’s oldest football tournament, this year’s Durand Cup will once again showcase an exciting mix of India’s top professional clubs, Services teams, emerging football outfits and international participation, reinforcing its legacy as one of the country’s premier football competitions.
Kolkata to Remain the Tournament’s Centrepiece
Kolkata, the home of the Durand Cup since 2019, will once again play a central role by hosting two league groups, the opening match, two quarter-finals, one semi-final and the final. Matches will be held at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and Kishore Bharati Krirangan between July 25 and August 23.
The city’s impressive lineup features record 17-time champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant, 16-time winners East Bengal FC, Mohammedan SC, South United FC, CISF Football Team, Indian Army Football Team, along with Durand Cup debutants Baghpat FC, the reigning I-League 3 champions, and Samaleswari Sporting from Odisha.
Ranchi Makes Historic Debut as Host City
For the first time, Ranchi will host Durand Cup matches, marking another milestone in the tournament’s expansion. The Birsa Munda Stadium will stage league fixtures from July 26 to August 16, followed by one quarter-final.
The Jharkhand capital will welcome Jamshedpur FC, Sporting Club Delhi, Indian Air Force Football Team, and Defenders FC of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, who will make their Durand Cup debut.
Imphal Continues as a Football Stronghold
Imphal will once again host matches at the Khuman Lampak Stadium from July 28 to August 17, including one quarter-final. The city will feature local football powerhouses TRAU FC and NEROCA FC, alongside the Indian Navy Football Team and tournament debutants FC Raengdai, runners-up of last season’s I-League 3.
Shillong Strengthens Its Football Legacy
Following a successful edition last year, Shillong returns as a host city, with the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium staging league matches from July 31 to August 20 and one of the tournament’s semi-finals.
The Meghalaya capital will showcase strong local representation through Shillong Lajong FC, Nongkseh Sports, Social & Cultural Club—champions of the Meghalaya Premier League—and Langsning FC. They will be joined by debutants Mumbay FC from Maharashtra, reflecting the tournament’s commitment to promoting grassroots football and emerging clubs.
Guwahati to Host Defending Champions
The Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati will host league-stage matches from August 1 to August 13. The Assam leg features back-to-back defending champions NorthEast United FC, FC1, comprising players from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, along with Bodoland FC and Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC.
Seven Teams to Make Durand Cup Debut
This year’s edition will witness seven debutant teams, including Defenders FC of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces and Nongkseh Sports, Social & Cultural Club, adding fresh competition and wider regional representation to the tournament.
The knockout stage will be spread across Kolkata, Ranchi and Shillong, with the two semi-finals scheduled in Shillong and Kolkata, before the tournament culminates with the final in Kolkata on August 23.
The diverse lineup of clubs, Services teams, emerging football institutions and international participants reflects the growing stature of the Durand Cup as India’s most historic football competition. With matches scheduled across five football-loving cities, the 135th edition promises another month of high-quality football and passionate fan engagement across the country.
