Shillong Welcomes 135th IndianOil Durand Cup Trophy Tour as Meghalaya Gears Up for Another Football Festival
The 135th edition of the IndianOil Durand Cup took another step towards kick-off as the tournament's iconic trophy tour arrived in Shillong, with Meghalaya once again embracing one of India's oldest and most prestigious football competitions.
The ceremonial flag-off, led by Shri Wailadmiki Shylla, Hon'ble Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya, marked the beginning of the tournament's public engagement programme in one of the country's most passionate footballing regions.
Shillong, hosting Durand Cup matches for the third consecutive year, welcomed the three historic trophies—the Durand Cup, the President's Cup, and the Simla Trophy—following their official unveiling by the Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, earlier this month at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi.
The arrival of the trophies further builds excitement ahead of the tournament, which will be played from July 25 to August 23, 2026, across five host cities.
The event brought together senior civil, military, and sports officials, reflecting the significance of the Durand Cup in India's sporting landscape. Among those present were Lieutenant General Mohit Wadhwa, General Officer Commanding, 101 Area; Air Marshal Devendra P. Hirani, Senior Air Staff Officer, Eastern Air Command; Major General D.K. Singh, Vice Chairman of the Durand Cup Organizing Committee; Major General Jai Singh Bainsla, Additional Director General of Assam Rifles; senior officials from the Government of Meghalaya, the Meghalaya Football Association, and the Meghalaya State Olympic Association; and representatives of participating clubs.
The ceremony highlighted Shillong's rich football culture through a presentation on the legacy of the Durand Cup, a screening of the trophy unveiling ceremony held in New Delhi, and a choir performance by the Khmih Creative Society before the ceremonial display of the tournament's three iconic trophies.
The program concluded with the official flag-off of the trophy convoy, signalling the beginning of the Shillong leg of the tour.
Speaking during the ceremony, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Shri Wailadmiki Shylla highlighted football's unique place in Meghalaya's cultural identity. He noted that football has become much more than a sport in the state, serving as a source of pride and unity for communities while inspiring thousands of young athletes. He also expressed gratitude to the Indian Armed Forces for selecting Meghalaya as a host state for the third consecutive year and voiced the hope that Shillong would one day have the opportunity to host the Durand Cup final.
The continued inclusion of Shillong among the tournament's host cities reflects the state's growing importance in Indian football and acknowledges its passionate supporter base.
Following the formal ceremony, the trophy convoy traveled through several of Shillong's most recognizable landmarks, giving football supporters an opportunity to witness the famous silverware up close. The route covered Camel Back Road, Civil Hospital, Umshyrpi Bridge, Shillong Peak, Nongthymmai, Laitumkhrah, Dhanketi Point, Barik Point, and Khyndailad before concluding at the Chief Minister Football Fan Park at the SRGT Ground in Polo.
The city-wide tour is designed to bring the excitement of the Durand Cup directly to supporters while building anticipation ahead of the tournament's return later this month.
Such public engagement programs have become an important feature of the Durand Cup, strengthening the connection between the tournament and football-loving communities across the country.
Shillong has rapidly established itself as one of the tournament's key centers since joining the list of host cities. This year, the city will host Group E fixtures featuring Mumbai FC, Shillong Lajong FC, Langsning FC, and Nongkseh SS&CC, providing local supporters with an opportunity to watch top-level domestic football. In total, Shillong will stage eight matches, including a quarter-final and a semi-final, reaffirming its status as one of the most important venues in the competition.
The inclusion of local clubs such as Shillong Lajong and Langsning also provides an opportunity for Meghalaya's footballers to compete on one of the country's biggest stages in front of home supporters.
Shillong has long been regarded as one of India's football capitals. The city's passionate fans, thriving grassroots culture, and consistent production of talented players have earned it a unique reputation within Indian football.
Addressing the gathering, Lieutenant General Mohit Wadhwa described Shillong as a city that does not merely host football but truly lives the sport. He acknowledged the unwavering support of Meghalaya's football fans and emphasized that the state has become an integral part of the Durand Cup's continued growth.
The tournament's repeated return to Shillong reflects the successful partnership between the Indian Armed Forces and the Government of Meghalaya in promoting football across the region.
Following its successful visit to Shillong, the trophy tour will continue through Jowai and Tura before traveling to Imphal on July 15, continuing its journey across all host cities. The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup will feature 24 teams, including one international side representing the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, competing across 43 matches at six venues in Kolkata, Shillong, Imphal, Guwahati, and Ranchi.
Ranchi will make history this year by becoming a Durand Cup host for the first time in the tournament's 138-year history. The competition will begin on July 25 with one of Indian football's biggest rivalries as Mohun Bagan Super Giant take on East Bengal FC in the Kolkata Derby at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, before concluding with the final at the same venue on August 23.
As the trophy tour continues to captivate football fans across the country, Shillong has once again demonstrated why it remains one of the beating hearts of Indian football, ready to welcome another edition of one of the world's oldest and most prestigious football tournaments.
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