Durand Cup 2026 Set to Return from July 25 to August 23

by Chandler D'silva June 26, 2026

One of the most iconic tournaments in world football is set to return as the IndianOil Durand Cup 2026 gets underway from July 25 to August 23. Now in its landmark 135th edition, the Durand Cup continues to uphold its rich tradition as Asia’s oldest football tournament and the third-oldest surviving football competition in the world.

This year’s edition will feature 24 teams, including two international clubs, who will compete across five host cities in a month-long battle for one of Indian football’s most prestigious trophies. Defending champions NorthEast United FC will return to defend the title they claimed last season against some of the country’s strongest clubs and Services teams.

For the first time in the tournament’s history, Ranchi will join Kolkata, Guwahati, Imphal, and Shillong as a host city, further expanding the competition’s footprint across India. Matches will be played at six venues: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi, Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal, and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.

For more than a century, the Durand Cup has been far more than just a football tournament. It has served as a platform where generations of players have showcased their talent, earned recognition, and taken the next step in their careers. From established clubs to Services teams and emerging sides, the competition continues to provide invaluable opportunities for players to test themselves against high-quality opposition.

Since shifting its base to eastern India in 2019, the tournament has witnessed remarkable growth. Expanding from a 16-team competition to its current 24-team format, the Durand Cup has strengthened its position as one of the premier events on the Indian football calendar while continuing to attract top clubs, Services teams, and international participants.

Organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services, the tournament remains unique in Indian football by bringing together military teams and professional clubs under one competition. The inclusion of foreign teams in recent editions has further enhanced the tournament’s competitiveness and international appeal.

Once again, the 2026 edition promises a blend of tradition, quality, and opportunity. Alongside some of India’s biggest football clubs, emerging teams and talented young players will have the chance to make their mark on one of the country’s grandest stages.

Details regarding the participating clubs, group stage draw, fixtures, and knockout schedule will be announced in the coming weeks. The tournament will conclude on August 23, when one team will lift the historic Durand Cup trophy and etch its name into the rich legacy of a competition that has shaped Indian football for nearly a century and a half.

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