Discover the rich history and thrilling matches of the Durand Cup, India’s prestigious football tournament. Stay updated on fixtures, teams, and results.
Durand Cup 2026 Kickoff: Schedule, Groups, Teams, Venues, and Everything You Need to Know
By Trending News Fox Sports Desk
Published: July 26, 2026
The oldest football tournament in Asia and the third-oldest in the world is back with a bang. The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup 2026 officially kicked off on July 25, 2026, setting the stage for a month-long spectacle of high-voltage Indian football. Serving as the traditional curtain-raiser for the Indian domestic football season, this edition promises higher stakes, expanded regional coverage, and thrilling multi-city action leading up to the grand final on August 23, 2026.
The tournament opened in spectacular fashion with Asia’s most iconic football rivalry—the Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium). With 24 powerhouse clubs battling across six groups in five host cities, the 2026 Durand Cup is set to captivate millions of sports fans across the globe.
Here is your ultimate, comprehensive guide to the Durand Cup 2026, covering group divisions, complete schedules, top contenders, venue details, and live streaming info.
📌 Durand Cup 2026: Quick Overview
| Parameter | Details |
| Edition | 135th Edition |
| Dates | July 25, 2026 – August 23, 2026 |
| Total Teams | 24 Teams (ISL, I-League, Armed Forces, Regional & Overseas) |
| Format | 6 Groups of 4 Teams → Round-Robin → Knockouts (QF, SF, Final) |
| Host Cities | Kolkata, Ranchi, Imphal, Shillong, Guwahati |
| Defending Champions | NorthEast United FC |
| Most Successful Team | Mohun Bagan Super Giant (17 Titles) |
| Official Broadcaster | Sony Sports Network & Sony LIV |
🏆 Tournament Format and Group Divisions
The 135th Durand Cup features 24 participating teams, categorized into Indian Super League (ISL) mainstays, I-League teams, Armed Forces representatives, regional powerhouses, and international invitationals like Sri Lanka’s Defenders FC.
The teams are split evenly into six groups of four (Groups A to F). Each group plays in a single round-robin format during the pool stage.
- Qualification Criteria: The 6 group toppers along with the 2 best second-placed teams across all groups will qualify directly for the Quarter-Finals starting August 16, 2026.
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 24 TEAMS │
│ (6 Groups of 4 Teams) │
└─────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────┘
│
[ Group Stage ]
Single Round-Robin Format
│
▼
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 8 KNOCKOUT TEAMS │
│ (6 Group Winners + 2 Best Second-Placed Teams) │
└─────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────┘
│
▼
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Quarter-Finals ➔ Semi-Finals ➔ Final (Aug 23) │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Group Distribution Breakdown
- Group A (Kolkata): Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC, CISF Protectors, South United FC
- Group B (Kolkata): Mohammedan SC, Indian Army FT, Samaleswari Sporting, Baghpat FC
- Group C (Ranchi): Jamshedpur FC, Indian Air Force FT, Defenders FC (Sri Lanka), SC Delhi
- Group D (Imphal): TRAU FC, NEROCA FC, Indian Navy FT, FC Raengdai
- Group E (Shillong): Shillong Lajong FC, Langsning FC, Nongkseh SS&CC, Mumbay FC
- Group F (Guwahati): NorthEast United FC, Bodoland FC, FC1, Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC
🏟️ Host Cities and Stadiums
To celebrate the deep-rooted football culture across East and North-East India, the Durand Football Tournament Society (DFTS), in association with the AIFF and Indian Army’s Eastern Command, selected six state-of-the-art venues in five distinct cities:
- Kolkata (West Bengal): Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) & Kishore Bharati Krirangan
- Ranchi (Jharkhand): Birsa Munda Football Stadium (Making its historic hosting debut!)
- Imphal (Manipur): Khuman Lampak Main Stadium
- Shillong (Meghalaya): Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
- Guwahati (Assam): Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium
The inclusion of Ranchi as a host venue highlights the increasing reach of top-tier Indian football into new regions, drawing massive enthusiastic crowds to the Birsa Munda Stadium.
⚽ Main Contenders & Legacy Rivalries
1. Mohun Bagan Super Giant (17-Time Champions)
Holding the record for the most Durand Cup titles in history (17 trophies), Mohun Bagan SG enters the 2026 tournament as heavy favorites. Backed by a strong domestic squad and high-profile foreign signings, the Mariners are determined to reassert their dominance on home soil.
2. East Bengal FC (16-Time Champions)
Trailing their arch-rivals by just one title, East Bengal FC (16 titles) treats the Durand Cup with immense prestige. Having kicked off their campaign against Mohun Bagan in the opening fixture on July 25, the Red and Gold brigade aims to secure silverware early and set the tone for their upcoming season.
3. NorthEast United FC (Defending Champions)
NorthEast United FC shocked the football fraternity in the previous edition by lifting their maiden Durand Cup trophy. Placed in Group F and playing their group fixtures in front of home fans in Guwahati, the Highlanders possess the tactical discipline and counter-attacking speed needed to retain their crown.
4. Mohammedan SC & The Armed Forces
Mohammedan SC brings immense historical weight to Group B. Meanwhile, military sides like Indian Army FT, Indian Navy FT, and Indian Air Force FT remain dangerous dark horses capable of upsetting top-tier ISL opponents with their physical conditioning and team work ethic.
📅 Key Match Schedule & Roadmap (IST)
The tournament spans 30 action-packed days filled with high-intensity group fixtures and high-stakes knockout games.
High-Profile Group Stage Fixtures
- July 25: Mohun Bagan SG vs East Bengal FC — Kolkata (Salt Lake Stadium)
- July 27: Mohammedan SC vs Baghpat FC — 7:00 PM IST (Kolkata)
- July 28: TRAU FC vs NEROCA FC (Imphal Derby) — 5:00 PM IST (Imphal)
- July 29: Jamshedpur FC vs Defenders FC — 5:00 PM IST (Ranchi)
- July 31: East Bengal FC vs CISF Protectors — 7:30 PM IST (Kolkata)
- August 1: NorthEast United FC vs Bodoland FC — 4:30 PM IST (Guwahati)
- August 4: Mohun Bagan SG vs South United FC — 7:00 PM IST (Kolkata)
- August 8: Shillong Lajong FC vs Mumbay FC — 7:00 PM IST (Shillong)
- August 12: Mohammedan SC vs Indian Army FT — 7:00 PM IST (Kolkata)
Knockout Stage Schedule
- Quarter-Finals: August 16 – August 17, 2026
- Semi-Final 1: August 19, 2026 — Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
- Semi-Final 2: August 20, 2026 — Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong
- Grand Final: August 23, 2026 — Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
📺 Where to Watch Durand Cup 2026 Live: Telecast & Streaming
Football fans in India and across the Indian subcontinent can follow all the action live through official broadcast partners:
- TV Broadcast (India): Live on Sony Sports Network (Sony Sports Ten 2 / Sony Sports 5 and HD channels).
- Live Streaming: Stream live on the Sony LIV app and website across mobile devices, smart TVs, and computers.
- Match Timing: Afternoon kickoffs start at 4:00 PM / 5:00 PM IST, while evening matches begin at 7:00 PM / 7:30 PM IST.
💡 Why the Durand Cup Matters for Indian Football
Beyond its historic legacy since 1888, the Durand Cup holds strategic value for Indian football development:
- Pre-Season Testing Ground: Managers test tactical setups, integrate new international recruits, and gauge player fitness before the main ISL and I-League campaigns kick off.
- Platform for Emerging Youth: Local stars and academy talents get rare opportunities to compete directly against top national team stars.
- Regional Empowerment: Hosting matches in centers like Imphal, Shillong, Guwahati, and Ranchi nurtures grassroots fandom and inspires future generations of athletes across Eastern India.
🎯 Conclusion
The 135th Durand Cup 2026 is off to a flying start, delivering non-stop drama, traditional rivalries, and top-tier tactical battles. Whether it is Mohun Bagan seeking an unprecedented 18th title, East Bengal aiming to draw level, or NorthEast United defending their throne, football enthusiasts are in for an unforgettable month.
Stay tuned to Trending News Fox for daily match reports, live updates, standings, and exclusive analysis throughout the Durand Cup 2026!
Durand Cup: Everything You Need to Know (Frequently Asked Questions)
Got questions about Asia’s oldest football tournament? Read our ultimate Durand Cup FAQ guide on Trending News Fox for history, teams, winners, live streaming details, and tournament facts.
Welcome to Trending News Fox’s ultimate FAQ guide on the Durand Cup—Asia’s oldest existing club football tournament and the traditional kickoff for the Indian domestic football season!
Whether you are looking for tournament history, record winners, or where to watch live matches, we’ve broken down all your questions into clear, easy-to-read answers.
General Overview & History
What is the Durand Cup?
The Durand Cup is the premier domestic football tournament in India and serves as the official curtain-raiser for the Indian football season. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest football tournament in Asia and the fifth oldest in the world.
Who founded the Durand Cup?
The tournament was established by Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, who was the Foreign Secretary to British India at the time. It started as a recreation competition for British Indian Army troops stationed in Shimla.
Who organizes the Durand Cup?
The tournament is organized and managed by the Durand Football Tournament Society (DFTS) in cooperation with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Indian Armed Forces (specifically the Eastern Command).
Teams & Competition Format
Which teams participate in the Durand Cup?
The tournament features a unique mix of 24 teams, including:
- Indian Super League (ISL) clubs
- I-League & I-League 2 clubs
- Indian Armed Forces service teams (Army, Navy, Air Force)
- Invited International/Regional Teams
What is the tournament format?
- Group Stage: 24 teams are divided into 6 groups of 4. They play in a single round-robin format.
- Knockout Stage: The 6 group winners and the 2 best second-placed teams advance to the Quarter-finals, followed by the Semi-finals and Final.
Records, Champions & Trophies
Which team has won the most Durand Cup titles?
Mohun Bagan Super Giant holds the record for the most titles with 17 championships, closely followed by their Kolkata rival East Bengal FC with 16 titles.
| Rank | Club | Titles |
| 1 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | 17 |
| 2 | East Bengal FC | 16 |
| 3 | Border Security Force (BSF) | 7 |
| 3 | JCT FC | 5 |
Why are 3 trophies awarded to the winner?
Unlike standard football competitions, the champions of the Durand Cup receive three separate trophies:
- The Durand Cup: The original rolling trophy awarded since 1888.
- The Simla Trophy: A rolling trophy donated by the residents of Simla (Shimla) in 1905 to show support for the tournament.
- The President’s Cup: Crafted afresh every year and awarded to the winners for permanent retention (introduced by Dr. Rajendra Prasad).
Broadcasting & Streaming
Where can I watch the Durand Cup live?
- TV Channel: Matches are broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network.
- Live Streaming: You can stream all Durand Cup matches live on the SonyLIV app and website.
💡 Keep Following Trending News Fox! Bookmark this page to get real-time match reports, player ratings, points tables, and live score updates throughout the Durand Cup season!
