135th Durand Cup to kick off on July 25, final on August 23

The 135th edition of the IndianOil Durand Cup will be held from July 25 to August 23, with 24 teams, including two foreign sides, competing across six venues in five cities. Ranchi will make its debut as a host city in the tournament's 138-year history.Recognised as Asia's oldest football tournament and the world's third-oldest surviving football competition, the Durand Cup will be staged in Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, Imphal and Shillong. Kolkata will host matches at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and Kishore Bharati Krirangan, while the Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi, Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong will serve as the other venues.The tournament has expanded significantly since shifting its base to eastern India in 2019, growing from a 16-team competition to a 24-team event. Organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services, the competition brings together Services teams, leading Indian clubs and international participants.The organisers said details regarding the participating teams, groupings, fixtures and knockout schedule will be announced at a later date.

Defending champions NorthEast United FC will return to defend their title after winning the previous edition.Established in 1888, the Durand Cup has played a significant role in the development of Indian football, providing a platform for Services teams, traditional clubs, emerging academies and young players to compete at a high level. In recent years, the tournament has also featured Army teams from neighbouring countries.The tournament will conclude on August 23, when the champions will lift the Durand Cup, the Shimla Trophy and the President's Cup, continuing one of Indian football's oldest traditions.