The Durand Cup 2025, the 134th edition of Asia’s oldest football tournament, will take place from July 23 to August 23 across five Indian cities: Kolkata, Jamshedpur, Shillong, Kokrajhar, and Imphal. Featuring 24 teams, including Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, I-League sides, armed forces teams, and foreign military teams like Tribhuvan Army (Nepal) and Malaysian Armed Forces, the tournament begins with a group stage from July 23 to August 12. The knockout rounds follow, with the quarter-finals on August 16–17, semi-finals on August 19–20, and the grand final on August 23 in Kolkata. The tournament is being broadcast live on Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV. Defending champions NorthEast United FC return to defend their crown, while East Bengal and South United FC will clash in the opening match. The tournament was flagged off by President Droupadi Murmu on July 9, marking a ceremonial start to one of India’s most prestigious football events.
Complete Match Details
The complete match details for the Durand Cup 2025, including group stage fixtures, venues, and key kickoff times:
Group Stage Fixtures (23 July – 12 August)
Group A – Kolkata
• 23 Jul, 17:30 – East Bengal vs South United FC (Salt Lake Stadium)
• 27 Jul, 19:00 – Indian Air Force FT vs South United FC
• 30 Jul, 19:00 – Namdhari FC vs South United FC
• 3 Aug, 16:00 – Namdhari FC vs Indian Air Force FT (Kishore Bharati)
• 6 Aug, 19:00 – East Bengal vs Namdhari FC
• 10 Aug, 19:00 – East Bengal vs Indian Air Force FT
Group B – Kolkata
• 28 Jul, 19:00 – Mohammedan SC vs Diamond Harbour FC (Kishore Bharati)
• 31 Jul, 16:00 – Mohun Bagan vs Mohammedan SC
• 1 Aug, 19:00 – Diamond Harbour FC vs BSF FT (Salt Lake)
• 4 Aug, 19:00 – Mohun Bagan vs BSF FT
• 7 Aug, 16:00 – BSF FT vs Mohammedan SC
• 9 Aug, 19:00 – Diamond Harbour FC vs Mohun Bagan
Group C – Jamshedpur
• 24 Jul, 17:30 – Jamshedpur FC vs Foreign Services Team (JRD Tata Sports Complex)
• 29 Jul, 16:00 – Jamshedpur FC vs Indian Army FT
• 2 Aug, 16:00 – Foreign Services Team vs 1 Ladakh FC
• 5 Aug, 16:00 – Indian Army FT vs Foreign Services Team
• 8 Aug, 16:00 – Jamshedpur FC vs 1 Ladakh FC
• 11 Aug, 16:00 – Indian Army FT vs 1 Ladakh FC
Group D – Kokrajhar
• 27 Jul, 16:00 – ITBP FT vs Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC (SAI Stadium)
• 31 Jul, 16:00 – Bodoland FC vs Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC
• 3 Aug, 19:00 – Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC vs Punjab FC
• 6 Aug, 16:00 – ITBP FT vs Punjab FC
• 9 Aug, 16:00 – Bodoland FC vs Punjab FC
• 12 Aug, 19:00 – Bodoland FC vs ITBP FT
Group E – Shillong
• 26 Jul, 16:00 – Shillong Lajong vs Foreign Services Team (Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium)
• 29 Jul, 19:00 – Shillong Lajong vs Rangdajied United
• 2 Aug, 19:00 – NorthEast United vs Foreign Services Team
• 5 Aug, 19:00 – Rangdajied United vs Foreign Services Team
• 8 Aug, 19:00 – Shillong Lajong vs NorthEast United
• 11 Aug, 19:00 – NorthEast United vs Rangdajied United
Group F – Imphal
• 30 Jul, 16:00 – TRAU FC vs NEROCA FC (Khuman Lampak)
• 1 Aug, 16:00 – Indian Navy FT vs Real Kashmir FC
• 4 Aug, 16:00 – TRAU FC vs Real Kashmir FC
• 7 Aug, 16:00 – NEROCA FC vs Indian Navy FT
• 10 Aug, 16:00 – NEROCA FC vs Real Kashmir FC
• 12 Aug, 16:00 – TRAU FC vs Indian Navy FT
Knockout Stage (All venues and exact timings TBD)
• Quarter-finals: 16–17 August
• Semi-finals: 19–20 August
• Final: 23 August at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
Host Cities & Venues
The detailed venue profiles for the Durand Cup 2025:
Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium), Kolkata
• Capacity: ~68,000 seats (post‑renovation); formerly up to 120,000
• Opened: 1984; major overhauls in 2011–17
• Pitch Dimensions: ~105 × 68 m; Bermuda grass surfaced
• Features: Three-tiered bowl, cantilever roof, banquet floodlights (~624 × 2 kW bulbs), modern scoreboards & press/media facilities
Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
• Capacity: Approximately 12,000–15,000 seats, used for secondary fixtures in Kolkata
JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur
• Capacity: ~24,424 seats
• A modern multi-sport venue with good spectator facilities hosting Group C matches.
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Polo Ground), Shillong
• Capacity: ~15,100 seats after renovation
• Grass-surface stadium home to Shillong Lajong FC, also upgraded 2011–23 to meet ISL standards
SAI Stadium, Kokrajhar
• Capacity: ~10,000 seats
• A compact athletic/football venue ideal for regional group matches.
Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal
• Capacity: ~35,285 seats
• A key sports complex built in 1999 with full grass pitch and athletics track; main venue for Group F and possibly knockout fixtures
Importance of Durang Cup 2025
The Durand Cup 2025 holds immense importance in the landscape of Indian and Asian football for several reasons:
Historic Significance
The Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest football tournament and the third-oldest in the world, founded in 1888. Now in its 134th edition, it symbolizes tradition and legacy in Indian sport, bridging colonial history with modern football culture.
Pre-Season Benchmark
It serves as a crucial pre-season competition for Indian Super League (ISL), I-League, and second-division clubs. It gives teams a platform to test strategies, evaluate squads, and build momentum ahead of the domestic league season.
Diverse Participation
With 24 teams from across India and abroad including military teams from Nepal and Malaysia, as well as Indian armed forces, ISL clubs, and I-League teams—it highlights inclusivity and fosters international and civil-military sporting camaraderie.
Platform for Emerging Talent
The tournament acts as a launchpad for young and lesser-known players from regional and military teams to showcase their abilities against top-tier clubs, attracting attention from scouts, fans, and the media.
National Outreach & Cultural Integration
By hosting matches in five diverse cities—Kolkata, Jamshedpur, Shillong, Kokrajhar, and Imphal—it promotes football in both metro and regional areas, strengthening grassroots development and fan engagement across India.
Competitive Structure
The mix of group-stage and knockout rounds over a full month ensures intense, high-stakes football, fostering rivalries and narratives that captivate fans nationwide.
Institutional Pride
Military teams and public-sector clubs participate not just for trophies but also for honor and inter-services prestige, lending the tournament a unique spirit of discipline and patriotism.
Conclusion
The Durand Cup 2025 stands as a powerful symbol of Indian football’s rich history and evolving future. With its roots dating back to 1888, the tournament not only preserves tradition but also embraces modern competitiveness by featuring top-tier ISL clubs, emerging I-League teams, and spirited military sides. Spanning across five diverse Indian cities, it reinforces national integration, promotes regional football growth, and provides a vital platform for talent discovery. As the curtain rises on the 134th edition, the Durand Cup continues to be more than just a tournament—it’s a celebration of unity, legacy, and the undying passion for football in India.
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