The fourth edition of the Oriental Cup, one of Delhi-NCR's fastest-growing inter-school football tournaments, will take place from July 7 to July 16, 2026, at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium. Organisers announced a record prize pool that has more than doubled compared to previous editions, alongside a new Rs 2.5 lakh scholarship programme for 10 deserving student-athletes.
Record Participation and Expanded Categories
This year's tournament will feature over 1,500 participants representing more than 45 teams from leading schools across Delhi-NCR. A total of 50+ matches are scheduled, with 25+ teams competing in the Boys' Under-17 category and 16+ teams in the Girls' Under-19 category. The organisers emphasised that the expanded format allows more schools to compete while maintaining high football standards.
According to a press release issued on July 3, the tournament has seen remarkable growth in girls' participation. The number of girls' teams has doubled since the inaugural edition in 2023, now accounting for nearly 40% of all participating teams.
Scholarship and Prize Pool Boost
Fareed Bakshi, Founder of the Oriental Cup, said: "Every edition of the Oriental Cup is about creating more opportunities for young footballers. This year, we have more than doubled the tournament's prize pool and introduced a Rs 2.5 lakh scholarship programme for 10 deserving student-athletes, reinforcing our commitment to recognising and supporting young talent." He added that the growth in girls' participation strengthens their belief that the tournament is moving in the right direction towards becoming one of India's most respected inter-school football tournaments.
Supporting Partners and Grassroots Impact
The fourth edition is supported by Oriental Structural Engineers Pvt. Ltd. as title sponsor, Nivia Sports as the Football Partner, Ocean Beverages as the Hydration Partner, and Central Park Resorts as an Associate Partner. Since its launch in 2023, the Oriental Cup has engaged 55+ educational institutions and NGOs, reached more than 2,700 young footballers, and conducted 80+ competitive matches across its first three editions.
The tournament emphasises equal opportunities for girls alongside boys, and organisers plan to further expand girls' participation in coming years while strengthening the grassroots football ecosystem. The Oriental Cup 2026 aims to provide a professionally managed platform for young footballers to showcase their talent before coaches, schools, parents, and the wider football community.
