Full Durand Cup 2026 schedule announced; Kolkata Derby is the headliner on the opening day

The Durand Cup 2026 kicks off with the Kolkata Derby when Mohun Bagan Super Giant takes on East Bengal FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on July 25.

The 135th edition of Asia’s oldest football tournament will feature 24 teams across six groups and will be played in Kolkata, Ranchi, Imphal, Shillong and Guwahati from July 25 to August 23.

Record 17-time champions Mohun Bagan and 16-time winners East Bengal lead Group A alongside South United FC and CISF Protectors. Kolkata will also host Group B, featuring Mohammedan SC, Indian Army FT and debutants Baghpat FC and Samaleswari Sporting.

Making its debut as a host city, Ranchi will field Group C comprising Jamshedpur FC, Sporting Club Delhi, Indian Air Force FT and Sri Lanka’s Defenders FC. Imphal’s Group D includes TRAU FC, NEROCA FC, FC Raengdai and Indian Navy FT.

Shillong Lajong FC are the leaders in Group E alongside Langsning FC, Nongkseh SS&CC and debutants Mumbai FC. In Guwahati, defending champions NorthEast United FC will be looking for a third straight title in Group F, which also includes Bodoland FC, FC1 and Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC.

The six group winners and the two best runners-up qualify for the quarter-finals, which start on August 16. The semi-finals will be played on August 19 and 20, with the final on August 23 in Calcutta.

Published on July 3, 2026