A total of 24 teams, including seven debutants, will participate in the 135th edition of the Durand Cup, which will be played in five cities from July 25 to August 23.
The tournament will start in Kolkata before the campaign moves to Ranchi, Imphal, Guwahati and Shillong.
Kolkata will once again serve as the focal point of the tournament, with two groups, the opening match, two quarter-finals, a semi-final and the final over the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and Kishore Bharati Krirangan.
The city will host 17-time champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant, 16-time winners East Bengal FC, Mohammedan SC, South United FC, CISF, Indian Army and debutants Baghpat FC and Samaleswari Sporting.
Ranchi will make its debut as host, with Birsa Munda Stadium hosting league matches and a quarter-final from July 26 to August 16. The city will host Jamshedpur FC, Sporting Club Delhi, Indian Air Force and debutants Defenders FC of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces.
Imphal’s Khuman Lampak Stadium will host matches and a quarter-final from July 28 to August 17. The city will be home to TRAU FC and NEROCA FC, the Indian Navy Football Team and debutants FC Raengdai, runners-up in the I-League 3 last season.
Shillong’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will host matches and a semi-final from July 31 to August 20. The venue will feature Shillong Lajong FC, Nongkseh, Langsning FC and debutants Mumbai FC.
In Guwahati, defending champions NorthEast United FC will top the group, alongside FC1 (players from J&K and Ladakh), Bodoland FC and Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC. The Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium will host league matches from August 1 to 13.
The four quarter-finals will be held in Kolkata, Ranchi and Shillong, while Shillong and Kolkata will host one semi-final each before the tournament concludes with the final in Kolkata on August 23.
Published on July 1, 2026
