The 135th edition of the IndianOil Durand Cup will kick off with one of Indian football’s biggest rivalries as Mohun Bagan Super Giant face East Bengal FC in the opening match at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on July 25. The tournament, Asia’s oldest football competition, will run until August 23, featuring 24 teams competing across six groups in five host cities.
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The month-long tournament will be staged in Kolkata, Ranchi, Imphal, Shillong and Guwahati, bringing together Indian Super League clubs, Services teams, regional outfits, debutants and an international side. All matches will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network, while fans can also watch the action via the SonyLIV app.
Kolkata hosts marquee clashes and knockout action
Kolkata remains the tournament’s central venue, hosting Groups A and B along with two quarter-finals, one semi-final and the grand finale.
The wait is over. Group A is locked in.
The stage is set for blockbuster clashes as four contenders begin their quest for IndianOil Durand Cup glory. Every match matters. Every point counts.
.#135thEditionofIndianOilDurandCup #PoweredbySBIandCoalIndia #DeshKaCup… pic.twitter.com/yHaBozW2XW— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) July 3, 2026
Group A features defending heavyweights Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC, South United FC and CISF Protectors. The tournament opener between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal promises to set the tone for an exciting campaign, while the group concludes on August 10.
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Group B includes Mohammedan SC, Indian Army FT, debutants Baghpat FC and Samaleswari Sporting. The action begins on July 26 and wraps up on August 12.
Five cities to stage group battles before knockout phase
Ranchi makes its debut as a Durand Cup host with Group C, featuring Jamshedpur FC, Sporting Club Delhi, Indian Air Force FT and Sri Lankan outfit Defenders FC. Imphal’s Group D includes TRAU FC, NEROCA FC, FC Raengdai and Indian Navy FT, highlighted by two all-Manipur clashes.
Shillong hosts Group E with local clubs Shillong Lajong FC, Langsning FC and Nongkseh SS&CC alongside Mumbay FC.
The battle lines are drawn. The #DurandCup fixtures are out.
मुकाबले की तस्वीर साफ हो चुकी है। #DurandCup के मैचों की घोषणा कर दी गई है।#भारतीय_सेना#पूर्वी_कमान#IndianArmy#EasternCommand#DurandCup2026 #DeshKaCup#IndianOilDurandCup#135thEditionofDurandCup… pic.twitter.com/TDNEHfn0GN— EasternCommand_IA (@easterncomd) July 3, 2026
Meanwhile, defending champions NorthEast United FC headline Group F in Guwahati with Bodoland FC, FC1 and Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC.
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The six group winners and the two best second-placed teams will advance to the quarter-finals starting August 16. The semi-finals are scheduled for August 19 and 20 before the final takes place in Kolkata on August 23, crowning the champions of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup.
