Durand Cup 2026: Full Groups Announced as 24 Teams Gear Up for the 135th Edition Across Five Host Cities
The stage is set for another exciting chapter in Indian football as the 135th edition of the Durand Cup kicks off on July 25, bringing together 24 teams from across India and abroad in one of the country's most prestigious football tournaments.
Scheduled to run until August 23, the tournament will once again be played across five host cities – Kolkata, Ranchi, Imphal, Shillong and Guwahati before culminating with the grand final at the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata.
The 2026 edition promises an exciting mix of Indian Super League clubs, I-League teams, Services sides, emerging domestic clubs and international participants, while also welcoming seven debutant teams, making this one of the most diverse editions in the tournament's history.
Established in 1888, the Durand Cup remains Asia's oldest football tournament and the third-oldest football competition in the world still in existence. Over the decades, the tournament has grown into an important part of India's football calendar, serving both as a prestigious trophy and as a platform for clubs to prepare for the upcoming domestic season.
This year's competition once again combines tradition with fresh opportunities, as several new clubs prepare to make their first appearance alongside some of Indian football's biggest names.
One of the biggest highlights of the 135th edition is the participation of seven debutant clubs, reflecting the tournament's growing reach across South Asia and Indian football. Among the newcomers are Defenders FC, representing the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, bringing international representation to the competition.
Also making history is Nongkseh Sports, Social and Cultural Club (SS&CC), champions of the Meghalaya Premier League, who will get their first taste of Durand Cup football. Other debutants include Baghpat FC, Samaleswari Sporting, FC Raengdai, Mumbay FC, and FC1, each eager to make an impact against more established opponents.
Their inclusion adds fresh storylines and the possibility of surprise results during the group stage.
The tournament will be spread across five football-loving cities, each playing a key role in the competition. Kolkata remains the heart of the Durand Cup and will host two groups, the opening match, two quarter-finals, one semi-final and the final across Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and Kishore Bharati Krirangan.
For the first time, Ranchi joins the list of host cities. The Birsa Munda Stadium will stage league matches between July 26 and August 16, along with one quarterfinal.
Imphal's Khuman Lampak Stadium continues its association with the tournament by hosting league matches and a quarterfinal from July 28 to August 17. In Shillong, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will host league matches before staging one of the semifinals, reaffirming Meghalaya's reputation as one of India's football strongholds.
Meanwhile, Guwahati's Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium will host league-stage fixtures from August 1 to August 13, with defending champions NorthEast United FC playing in front of their home supporters.
The Durand Cup once again features several of India's biggest clubs. Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the tournament's most successful club with 17 titles, returns looking to add another trophy to its illustrious history. City rivals East Bengal FC, winners of 16 Durand Cup titles, will also be among the favourites. Other prominent participants include Mohammedan SC, Jamshedpur FC, Shillong Lajong FC, TRAU FC, NEROCA FC, and NorthEast United FC, who enter the tournament as defending champions.
The competition also continues to provide Services teams, including the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and CISF Protectors, the opportunity to compete against professional clubs.
Following the group stage, the tournament will move into the knockout rounds. The quarterfinals will be staged across Kolkata, Ranchi and Shillong, while Shillong and Kolkata will host the two semifinals. The prestigious final is scheduled for August 23 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, where the next Durand Cup champion will be crowned.
The inclusion of new venues, fresh clubs and international participation reflects the Durand Cup's continued evolution. For debutants, the tournament provides an invaluable opportunity to compete against India's top clubs. For established teams, it serves as an important platform to build momentum ahead of the domestic football season. For fans, it promises nearly a month of competitive football featuring traditional rivalries, emerging talent and the possibility of memorable upsets.
With 24 teams spread across six groups, the race for the knockout stages is expected to be fiercely contested from the opening week itself.
Durand Cup 2026: Full Group-Wise Teams
Group A (Kolkata)
CISF Protectors
East Bengal FC
Mohun Bagan Super Giant
South United FC
Group B (Kolkata)
Baghpat FC
Indian Navy Football Team
Mohammedan SC
Samaleswari Sporting
Group C (Ranchi)
Defenders FC (Sri Lanka)
Indian Air Force Football Team
Jamshedpur FC
Sporting Club Delhi
Group D (Imphal)
FC Raengdai
Indian Navy Football Team
NEROCA FC
TRAU FC
Group E (Shillong)
Langsning FC
Mumbay FC
Nongkseh SS&CC
Shillong Lajong FC
Group F (Guwahati)
Bodoland FC
FC1
Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC
NorthEast United FC
With six competitive groups, seven debutants and some of India's biggest football clubs in action, the 135th Durand Cup promises another memorable edition of Asia's oldest football tournament as the countdown to kickoff begins.
Comments (0)
to post comments, replies, and votes.
Loading comments…
