135th Durand Cup 2026: 24 Teams Confirmed Across Five Host Cities for Asia's Oldest Football Tournament

The stage is set for another chapter in Indian football history as the 135th edition of the IndianOil Durand Cup gets underway from July 25 to August 23, 2026. Organisers have confirmed the participation of 24 teams, with matches scheduled across five host cities—Kolkata, Ranchi, Imphal, Shillong and Guwahati.

Recognised as Asia's oldest football tournament, the Durand Cup continues to evolve while preserving its rich legacy. The 2026 edition promises a blend of established clubs, Services teams, emerging talent and international participation, reinforcing its status as one of India's premier domestic football competitions.

Adding further excitement to this year's tournament is the inclusion of seven clubs making their Durand Cup debut, highlighting the competition's expanding reach and growing reputation across the region.

The tournament will be spread across five football-loving cities, each playing a crucial role in hosting league-stage and knockout fixtures. 

Kolkata, the traditional home of the Durand Cup, will once again take centre stage. The city will host the opening match on July 25, league fixtures, two group stages, a quarterfinal, the semifinals and the grand final on August 23 at the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium).

Ranchi returns as a host city and will stage league matches along with one quarterfinal at the Birsa Munda Stadium from July 26 to August 16. Imphal, another passionate football centre, will host league matches and a quarterfinal between July 28 and August 17 at the Khuman Lampak Stadium. Shillong, one of India's strongest football hubs, will host league fixtures, a semifinal and knockout action from July 31 to August 20 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Meanwhile, Guwahati will stage league matches from August 1 to August 13 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, completing the tournament's multi-city footprint. The widespread hosting model continues to strengthen football's presence across different regions while allowing fans from multiple states to witness top-level domestic football.

A total of 24 teams will compete for one of Indian football's most prestigious trophies. The field includes some of India's biggest clubs, Services teams, emerging domestic sides and international participants, creating a diverse and competitive tournament structure. One of the major highlights this year is the arrival of seven debutant clubs, reflecting the Durand Cup's commitment to expanding opportunities for teams across South Asia.

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Among the new entrants are Defenders FC, representing the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, bringing another international flavour to the competition. Also making their first appearance is Nongkseh Social Sports & Cultural Club (SS&CC), one of the promising clubs from Meghalaya. The inclusion of fresh teams is expected to add unpredictability and new storylines to the tournament.

Following the group stage, the competition will move into the knockout rounds. The quarter-finals will be hosted across Kolkata, Ranchi and Shillong before the tournament progresses to the semi-finals in Shillong and Kolkata. The season will conclude with the final at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on August 23, where one team will lift one of the oldest trophies in world football.

The knockout format has consistently produced memorable moments over the years, with underdog victories, penalty shootouts and dramatic late winners becoming synonymous with the competition.

Founded in 1888, the Durand Cup remains the oldest football competition in Asia and the third-oldest football tournament in the world still in existence. Named after Sir Mortimer Durand, the competition has witnessed the evolution of Indian football over more than a century and continues to serve as an important platform for clubs and players.

Many of India's greatest footballers have featured in the tournament before going on to represent the national team, making the Durand Cup a significant stepping stone in Indian football's development. Its blend of heritage and modern competition has ensured that it remains one of the country's most respected football tournaments.

Beyond the prestige of lifting the trophy, the Durand Cup also serves as an important competitive platform before the domestic league season begins. For Indian Super League clubs, I-League teams, Services outfits and emerging clubs, the tournament offers valuable competitive minutes, tactical preparation and opportunities to integrate new signings.

It also allows young Indian players to test themselves against experienced professionals in high-pressure situations.

For debutant clubs, participation alone represents a major milestone and an opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage.

With five host cities, 24 competing teams, seven debutants and another month of high-quality football on the schedule, the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup promises to deliver another memorable edition of India's oldest football tournament. The combination of traditional powerhouses, ambitious newcomers, Services teams and international participation reflects the tournament's unique identity within Indian football.

As the countdown begins, football fans across the country can look forward to nearly a month of intense competition, passionate rivalries and emerging stars, all culminating in the grand finale at Kolkata's iconic Salt Lake Stadium on August 23.

For Indian football, the legacy continues—and so does one of the sport's most cherished traditions.