• Fourth edition to be held from July 7-16 at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi
• Tournament introduces ₹2.5 lakh scholarship programme for 10 student-athletes
• More than 1,500 participants from 45+ schools expected to compete across 50+ matches

The tournament was officially launched during a press conference at Aloft Hotel, Aerocity, where organisers announced a series of major initiatives designed to elevate both the competition and its impact on grassroots football. Headlining the announcements was a substantial increase in the tournament’s overall prize pool, now the highest in the competition’s history, along with the introduction of a ₹2.5 lakh scholarship programme that will support 10 deserving student-athletes.

The fourth edition will feature more than 50 matches across two age categories, with over 25 teams participating in the Boys’ Under-17 competition and more than 16 teams in the Girls’ Under-19 category. The expanded field reflects the tournament’s growing popularity among schools while reinforcing its commitment to providing a professionally managed platform for young footballers.

Announcing the new edition, Fareed Bakshi, Founder of the Oriental Cup, said, “Every edition of the Oriental Cup is about creating more opportunities for young footballers. This year, we have more than doubled the tournament’s prize pool and introduced a ₹2.5 lakh scholarship programme for 10 deserving student-athletes, reinforcing our commitment to recognising and supporting young talent. We are equally encouraged by the remarkable growth in girls’ participation, with the number of girls’ teams doubling since our inaugural edition and now accounting for nearly 40 per cent of all participating teams. These milestones strengthen our belief that we are moving in the right direction as we work towards building the Oriental Cup into one of India’s most respected inter-school football tournaments.”

A defining aspect of the Oriental Cup has been its emphasis on creating equal opportunities for boys and girls. With girls’ participation continuing to rise steadily, the organisers remain focused on further expanding women’s football at the school level while strengthening the overall grassroots ecosystem.

The 2026 edition also sees continued support from organisations committed to youth development through sport. Oriental Structural Engineers Pvt. Ltd. returns as the Title Sponsor, while Nivia Sports joins as the Football Partner. Ocean Beverages will serve as the Hydration Partner, and Central Park Resorts comes on board as an Associate Partner.

Speaking at the launch, Shantanu Majumdar, Representative of Oriental Structural Engineers Pvt. Ltd., said, “At Oriental Structural Engineers, we believe that investing in sport is ultimately an investment in the country’s youth. Our continued association with the Oriental Cup reflects our commitment to nurturing grassroots talent and creating opportunities for young athletes to pursue their passion in a competitive and professionally managed environment. We are delighted to support a tournament that not only promotes sporting excellence but also contributes to the holistic development of students, and we look forward to another successful edition.”

Vishal, Representative of Central Park Resorts, added, “We see the Oriental Cup as much more than a football tournament—it is an investment in the dreams of young athletes. Sport teaches values like discipline, resilience, teamwork and leadership that stay with individuals for life. To every player, I would say: compete with passion, play with integrity, and enjoy every moment. Winning matters, but the character you build along the way is your greatest achievement.”

Since its launch in 2023, the Oriental Cup has rapidly established itself as one of Delhi-NCR’s leading school football tournaments. Across its first three editions, the competition has brought together more than 55 schools and NGOs, engaged over 2,700 young footballers, and hosted more than 80 competitive matches, creating a strong foundation for grassroots football development in the region.

As participation continues to grow and institutional support strengthens, the Oriental Cup is steadily emerging as one of India’s most promising inter-school football platforms. With enhanced opportunities, greater inclusivity and an expanding footprint, the 2026 edition is poised to offer its highest standard of competition while inspiring the next generation of football talent.

About Oriental Cup

Founded in 2023, the Oriental Cup is a Delhi-based inter-school football tournament co-founded by student-athlete Fareed Bakshi. The competition was created to provide a structured, inclusive and professionally managed platform where young footballers can compete, develop and celebrate the values of teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship. Now in its fourth season, the Oriental Cup continues to expand its reach and aims to become one of India’s premier grassroots school football tournaments.

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