THE DURAND CUP, ASIA’S oldest football tournament and the world’s third-oldest surviving football competition, will return for its landmark 135th edition on July 25, with the finals on August 23.
Continuing a legacy that spans 138 years, the historic tournament will once again bring together 24 teams, including two foreign sides, across five host cities, in which NorthEast United FC are the defending champions.
The IndianOil Durand Cup has witnessed significant growth in recent years, expanding its footprint across eastern and north-eastern India while strengthening its reputation as a platform that brings together the country’s leading clubs, services teams and emerging football talent, an official release states.
The tournament will once again be hosted across five cities – Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, Imphal and Shillong, with Ranchi making its debut as a host city in the competition’s history.
Matches are to be played across six venues, with Kolkata hosting fixtures at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and Kishore Bharati Krirangan, while Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi, Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong will serve as the other host venues.
The tournament’s enduring legacy lies in its ability to provide opportunities for young footballers from every corner of the country. From Services teams and traditional clubs to emerging academies and state sides, the Durand Cup continues to serve as a pathway for aspiring players seeking to make their mark on Indian football.
With 24 teams, including two foreign sides, the tournament once again brings together a diverse mix of leading Indian clubs, Services teams and international opposition. Details regarding the participating teams, groupings, fixtures and knockout schedule will be announced in due course.
