The 135th Durand Cup will kick off on July 25 with a blockbuster Kolkata Derby between record 17-time champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant and 16-time winners East Bengal FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. The Durand Cup Organising Committee announced the fixtures for Asia's oldest football tournament, which will feature 24 teams across six groups and five host cities, running from July 25 to August 23.
Tournament Structure and Host Cities
The tournament will be hosted across Kolkata, Ranchi, Imphal, Shillong and Guwahati, reflecting its expanding national footprint while remaining rooted in the football heartlands of eastern and northeastern India. The group stage combines established powerhouses, ambitious newcomers, Services teams, regional champions and international participation, according to a press release.
Kolkata, the home of the Durand Cup since 2019, will host Groups A and B, the tournament opener, two quarter-finals, the first semi-final and the Final.
Group A: The Kolkata Derby
Group A features record 17-time champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant, 16-time winners East Bengal FC, South United FC and CISF Protectors. The opening match on July 25 is a Kolkata Derby, one of Indian football's most celebrated rivalries. The group stage concludes on August 10 with Mohun Bagan Super Giant taking on CISF Protectors.
Group B: Tradition and Newcomers
Group B brings together Mohammedan SC, Indian Army FT and Durand Cup debutants Baghpat FC and Samaleswari Sporting. The group opens on July 26 with Indian Army FT facing Samaleswari Sporting and concludes on August 12 with Mohammedan SC against Indian Army FT.
Group C: Ranchi Debut
Making its debut as a Durand Cup host, Ranchi will stage all Group C fixtures at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium. The group comprises Indian Super League side Jamshedpur FC, Sporting Club Delhi, Indian Air Force FT and Defenders FC of the Sri Lankan armed forces, who make their first appearance in the competition. Ranchi's first Durand Cup match is on July 26 with Jamshedpur FC taking on Defenders FC, and the group concludes on August 13 when Jamshedpur FC face Indian Air Force FT.
Group D: Manipur Derby
Group D will see local sides TRAU FC, NEROCA FC and FC Raengdai joined by Indian Navy FT. The Imphal leg begins with a Manipur derby between TRAU FC and NEROCA FC on July 28, while the group concludes on August 12 with another all-Manipur encounter as NEROCA FC take on FC Raengdai.
Group E: Shillong Clubs
Shillong hosts Group E, showcasing the strength of Meghalaya's club football ecosystem with three local clubs competing on home soil. Shillong Lajong FC, Langsning FC and Meghalaya Premier League champions Nongkseh SS&CC are joined by Durand Cup debutants Mumbay FC from Maharashtra. The Shillong leg begins on July 31 with Shillong Lajong FC taking on Nongkseh SS&CC, and concludes on August 13 with the Shillong derby between Shillong Lajong FC and Langsning FC.
Group F: Defending Champions
Group F in Guwahati is headlined by back-to-back defending champions NorthEast United FC, who begin their pursuit of a third consecutive Durand Cup title. They are joined by Bodoland FC, FC1 and Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC. The Guwahati leg begins on August 1 with NorthEast United FC taking on Bodoland FC and concludes on August 13 with Bodoland FC facing Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC.
Knockout Phase and Final
Following the group stage, the six group winners and the two best second-placed teams will advance to the knockout phase. The quarter-finals commence on August 16 with the first match in Ranchi and the second in Kolkata, followed by two quarter-finals on August 17 in Kolkata and Shillong. The first semi-final will be at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on August 19, while Shillong will host the second semi-final at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on August 20. The final will be held at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on August 23.
