The countdown to the Durand Cup 2026 gathered further momentum as the Organising Committee announced the 24 participating teams across the tournament’s five host cities and confirmed the host city match windows.

The tournament will commence in Kolkata on July 25 before travelling across the five host cities over the following four weeks, culminating with the Final at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on August 23.

Hosted across Kolkata, Ranchi, Imphal, Guwahati and Shillong, this year’s edition will once again bring together a blend of India’s leading clubs, Services teams, emerging sides and international participation, continuing the tournament’s tradition of combining rich heritage with contemporary Indian football.

As the home of the Durand Cup since 2019, Kolkata once again forms the centrepiece of the tournament. The city will host two groups along with the inaugural match, two quarter-finals, a semi-final and the Final. All matches will be played across both the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and the Kishore Bharati Krirangan, with matches scheduled between July 25 and August 23.

The Kolkata roster is headlined by record 17-time champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant and 16-time champions East Bengal FC, two of the tournament’s most successful and historic clubs.

Groups and Cities

Kolkata

Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, South United FC, CISF Football Team

Mohammedan SC, Indian Army Football Team, Baghpat FC, Samaleswari Sporting

Ranchi

Jamshedpur FC

SC Delhi

Indian Air Force Football Team

Defenders FC (Sri Lanka)

Imphal

TRAU FC

NEROCA FC

Indian Navy Football Team

FC Raengdai

Shillong

Shillong Lajong FC

Nongkseh Sports, Social & Cultural Club

Langsning FC

Mumbay FC

Guwahati

NorthEast United FC

FC1 (players from J&K and Ladakh)

Bodoland FC

Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC

The four quarter-finals will be hosted 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.

The host city line-up reflects the diverse character of the 135th edition of the tournament, bringing together some of Indian football’s most celebrated clubs, ambitious emerging teams, Services sides and foreign services teams.

As anticipation continues to build, football fans in India can now look forward to welcoming the country’s oldest football tournament to their cities.