IndianOil Durand Cup 2026 Kicks Off with 24 Teams Across Six Groups; Asia’s Oldest Football Tournament Returns in Grand Style
By IBG NEWS Sports Desk
New Delhi/Kolkata, July 3, 2026: The stage is set for the 135th edition of the IndianOil Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest football tournament, as the organisers unveiled the official groupings and match fixtures for the 2026 edition. Featuring 24 teams divided into six groups, the prestigious tournament will once again bring together India’s top football clubs, armed forces teams, and emerging sides in a celebration of the nation’s rich footballing heritage.
Organised under the aegis of the Durand Football Tournament Society (DFTS), the tournament will be hosted across Kolkata, Ranchi, Imphal, Shillong and Guwahati, with matches taking place at some of India’s premier football venues, including Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium), Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Birsa Munda Football Stadium, Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, and Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium.
Group Stage Draw
Group A – Kolkata
- East Bengal FC
- Mohun Bagan Super Giant
- South United FC
- CISF Protectors
The Kolkata derby between East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant is expected to be one of the marquee fixtures of the tournament.
Group B – Kolkata
- Mohammedan Sporting Club
- Punjab FC
- Indian Army Football Team
- Baghpat FC
Group C – Ranchi
- Jamshedpur FC
- Indian Air Force Football Team
- SC Delhi
- Defenders FC
Group D – Imphal
- TRAU FC
- NEROCA FC
- FC Ravengdai
- Indian Navy Football Team
Group E – Shillong
- Shillong Lajong FC
- Mumbai City FC
- Langsning FC
- Nongkseh SS&CC
Group F – Guwahati
- NorthEast United FC
- Bodoland FC
- Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC
- FC 1
Tournament Schedule
The competition will commence on July 25, 2026, with league-stage matches continuing until August 13. The knockout rounds are scheduled as follows:
- Quarter-finals: August 16–17
- Semi-finals: August 19–20
- Final: August 23, 2026
The championship match will be held in Kolkata, where one team will lift the coveted Durand Cup Trophy, one of the oldest and most prestigious trophies in world football.
Broadcast
Football enthusiasts across the country will be able to watch the tournament live on the Sony Sports Network and via Sony LIV, ensuring nationwide coverage of the month-long football extravaganza.
A Legacy Since 1888
Established in 1888, the Durand Cup is not only Asia’s oldest football tournament but also the third-oldest football competition in the world still in existence. Over more than a century, the tournament has served as a launching pad for legendary footballers and clubs, while preserving a unique legacy that bridges military and civilian football traditions.
The 2026 edition, themed “#DeshKaCup”, promises intense rivalries, emerging talent, and high-quality football as clubs from across India compete for national glory.
With passionate supporters, iconic rivalries, and matches spread across five football-loving cities, the IndianOil Durand Cup 2026 is expected to once again capture the imagination of football fans and reaffirm its place as one of India’s premier sporting spectacles.
Key Facts
- Tournament: IndianOil Durand Cup 2026 (135th Edition)
- Teams: 24
- Groups: 6
- Host Cities: Kolkata, Ranchi, Imphal, Shillong and Guwahati
- League Stage: July 25 – August 13, 2026
- Quarter-finals: August 16–17
- Semi-finals: August 19–20
- Final: August 23, 2026
- Broadcast: Sony Sports Network & Sony LIV
- Official Theme: #DeshKaCup
