MUMBAI: The 134th edition of the Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest football tournament, is set to begin on July 23 with expanded prize money, new venues, and increased international participation, but the buildup has been overshadowed by ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League. Only six ISL clubs will compete this year — Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammedan Sporting, Jamshedpur FC, Punjab FC, and defending champions NorthEast United FC — a steep decline from the 12 seen in actions last year.
The drop follows the standoff between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), marketing partner of the All India Football Federation, over renewing the Master Rights Agreement, putting the ISL 2025–26 season on hold and affecting club planning.
Calling the situation “unprecedented”, Lt Gen Mohit Malhotra, chairman of the Durand Cup Organising Committee, reaffirmed the Durand Cup’s importance, announcing an increased prize purse of Rs 3 crore, up from under Rs 1.2 crore last year. Top players will also receive SUVs for individual honours like Best Goalkeeper, Golden Boot, and Golden Ball.
This edition will also debut in Manipur, with Group F matches at Imphal’s Khuman Lampak Main Stadium. Amid concerns about regional tensions, Lt Gen Malhotra assured of full security arrangements and cited local support from icons like Thoiba Singh and Mirabai Chanu.
Kolkata remains the tournament’s epicentre, hosting 15 matches, including the final on August 23. The opening match, East Bengal vs South United FC, will be held at Salt Lake Stadium, inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Local participation includes four Kolkata clubs, among them newly-promoted Diamond Harbour FC.
Adding an international edge, two foreign teams — Tribhuwan Army FC (Nepal) and Armed Forces (Malaysia) — will compete this year.
