The 135th edition of the Durand Cup gets underway on July 25 with a Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
Asia’s oldest football competition runs until August 23, bringing together 24 teams from the Indian Super League, I-League 2, the Armed Forces, and Sri Lankan club Defenders FC across six venues in five cities.
Durand Cup 2026 Schedule
The pool stage runs through August 13, followed by the knockout rounds.
| Date | Fixture | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 25 (Sat) | East Bengal FC vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant | 5:00 PM | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan |
| July 26 (Sun) | Indian Army FT vs Samaleswari Sporting | 7:30 PM | Kishore Bharati Krirangan |
| July 28 (Tue) | TRAU FC vs NEROCA FC | 5:00 PM | Khuman Lampak Main Stadium |
| July 28 (Tue) | South United FC vs CISF Protectors | 7:30 PM | Kishore Bharati Krirangan |
| July 29 (Wed) | Jamshedpur FC vs Defenders FC | 5:00 PM | Birsa Munda Football Stadium |
| July 29 (Wed) | Indian Air Force FT vs Defenders FC | 7:00 PM | Birsa Munda Football Stadium |
| July 30 (Thu) | Samaleswari Sporting vs Baghpat FC | 7:00 PM | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan |
| July 30 (Thu) | FC Raengdai vs Indian Navy FT | 4:00 PM | Khuman Lampak Main Stadium |
| July 31 (Fri) | East Bengal FC vs CISF Protectors | 7:30 PM | Kishore Bharati Krirangan |
| July 31 (Fri) | Shillong Lajong FC vs Nongkseh SS&CC | 5:00 PM | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium |
| August 1 (Sat) | NorthEast United FC vs Bodoland FC | 4:30 PM | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium |
| August 2 (Sun) | Mohammedan SC vs Samaleswari Sporting | 4:00 PM | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan |
| August 2 (Sun) | Jamshedpur FC vs SC Delhi | 4:00 PM | Birsa Munda Football Stadium |
| August 3 (Mon) | TRAU FC vs FC Raengdai | 4:00 PM | Khuman Lampak Main Stadium |
| August 3 (Mon) | Langsning FC vs Mumbay FC | 7:00 PM | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium |
| August 3 (Mon) | Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC vs FC1 | 4:00 PM | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium |
| August 4 (Tue) | Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs South United FC | 7:00 PM | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan |
| August 4 (Tue) | SC Delhi vs Defenders FC | 4:00 PM | Birsa Munda Football Stadium |
| August 5 (Wed) | Indian Army FT vs Baghpat FC | 7:00 PM | Kishore Bharati Krirangan |
| August 5 (Wed) | NEROCA FC vs Indian Navy FT | 4:00 PM | Khuman Lampak Main Stadium |
| August 6 (Thu) | Nongkseh SS&CC vs Langsning FC | 7:00 PM | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium |
| August 6 (Thu) | Bodoland FC vs FC1 | 4:00 PM | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium |
| August 7 (Fri) | SC Delhi vs Indian Air Force FT | 4:00 PM | Birsa Munda Football Stadium |
| August 8 (Sat) | Shillong Lajong FC vs Mumbay FC | 7:00 PM | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium |
| August 8 (Sat) | NorthEast United FC vs Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC | 4:00 PM | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium |
| August 9 (Sun) | TRAU FC vs Indian Navy FT | 4:00 PM | Khuman Lampak Main Stadium |
| August 10 (Mon) | Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs CISF Protectors | 4:00 PM | Kishore Bharati Krirangan |
| August 10 (Mon) | Jamshedpur FC vs Indian Air Force FT | 7:00 PM | Birsa Munda Football Stadium |
| August 11 (Tue) | Nongkseh SS&CC vs Mumbay FC | 4:00 PM | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium |
| August 11 (Tue) | NorthEast United FC vs FC1 | 7:00 PM | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium |
| August 12 (Wed) | Mohammedan SC vs Indian Army FT | 7:00 PM | Kishore Bharati Krirangan |
| August 12 (Wed) | NEROCA FC vs FC Raengdai | 4:00 PM | Khuman Lampak Main Stadium |
| August 13 (Thu) | Jamshedpur FC vs Indian Air Force FT | 4:00 PM | Birsa Munda Football Stadium |
| August 13 (Thu) | Shillong Lajong FC vs Langsning FC | 7:00 PM | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium |
| August 13 (Thu) | Bodoland FC vs Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC | 4:00 PM | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium |
| August 16 (Sun) | SC Delhi vs FC Raengdai | 4:00 PM | Birsa Munda Football Stadium |
| August 16 (Sun) | Indian Army FT vs East Bengal FC | 7:00 PM | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan |
| August 17 (Mon) | Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Jamshedpur FC | 4:00 PM | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan |
| August 17 (Mon) | Shillong Lajong FC vs NorthEast United FC | 7:00 PM | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium |
| August 19 (Wed) | Winner QF1 vs Winner QF2 | 7:00 PM | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan |
| August 20 (Thu) | Winner QF3 vs Winner QF4 | 7:00 PM | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium |
| August 23 (Sun) | Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 | TBD | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan |
The group stage will conclude on August 13, after which the six group winners and the two best runners-up will determine the knockout draw and confirm the quarter-final matchups.
Check the updated Durand Cup 2026 points table here!!!
Durand Cup 2026 Groups and Teams
The 24 participating teams have been split into six groups of four, with sides playing a single round-robin match in the pool stage.
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohun Bagan SG | Mohammedan SC | Jamshedpur FC | TRAU FC | Shillong Lajong FC | NorthEast United FC |
| East Bengal FC | Indian Army FT | SC Delhi | NEROCA FC | Langsning FC | Bodoland FC |
| South United FC | Baghpat FC | Indian Air Force FT | FC Raengdai | Nongkseh SS&CC | FC1 |
| CISF Protectors | Samaleswari Sporting | Defenders FC (Sri Lanka) | Indian Navy FT | Mumbay FC | Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC |
Where to Watch Durand Cup 2026
Live streaming of Durand Cup matches is available on Sony LIV, with telecast on Sony TEN 2 and Sony TEN 2 HD, giving fans multiple ways to follow the action.
| Platform | Type | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Sony LIV | Live streaming | App and website |
| Sony TEN 2 | Live telecast | TV channel |
| Sony TEN 2 HD | Live telecast | TV channel |
Fans looking to stream matches should keep the following in mind:
- Sony LIV requires a subscription or login to access live matches on mobile and desktop.
- Sony TEN 2 and Sony TEN 2 HD are available through most DTH and cable operators across India.
- Match timings vary by fixture, so checking the schedule in advance helps avoid missing kickoffs.
Durand Cup 2026 Tickets
Tickets for the 135th Durand Cup, running from July 25 to August 23, 2026, are available online through BookMyShow, with physical counters also open at stadiums and box offices across the host cities. Fans travelling to Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, Imphal, or Shillong should plan ahead, since demand is expected to be high for marquee fixtures like the opening derby.
- Book online through BookMyShow
- Physical tickets available at stadium counters and local box offices
- Host cities: Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, Imphal, and Shillong
- Prices and availability may vary by venue and fixture
Conclusion: Mohun Bagan Super Giant Remain the Durand Cup’s Most Successful Side With 17 Titles
The Durand Cup 2026 opens with a Kolkata Derby carrying extra weight, given Mohun Bagan’s 17 titles compared to East Bengal’s 16 in the tournament’s history. Beyond the rivalry, the format rewards consistency, with six group winners and two best runners-up advancing to the quarter-finals from August 16.
Defending champions NorthEast United FC will look to retain their crown against a strong ISL and I-League field. With matches spread across five cities, the tournament again offers Indian football fans a genuine curtain-raiser before the club season begins.
