The 2025 edition of the Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest football tournament, will be held across five states from July 23 to August 23, with organizers announcing six venues spanning West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Jharkhand.
The century-old tournament will feature matches at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and Kishore Bharti Krirangan in Kolkata, JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur or Morhabadi Stadium in Ranchi, Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal, Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, and SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar.
North East United FC enters the tournament as defending champions after their historic maiden title victory last year, when they overcame maximum title-holder Mohun Bagan Super Giant in a thrilling final.
The venue selection reflects the tournament’s commitment to promoting football across eastern and northeastern India. Imphal returns as a host city after a two-year absence, while Kokrajhar will serve as a venue for the third consecutive year, demonstrating the tournament’s dedication to maintaining a strong presence in the Northeast region.
Jamshedpur in Jharkhand and Shillong in Meghalaya, which were added as host cities last year, continue their involvement in the prestigious competition. This multi-state approach has helped expand the tournament’s reach and accessibility for football fans across the region.
The tournament has maintained Kolkata as its home base since shifting from Delhi in 2019, and the City of Joy will continue to hold this status for a sixth consecutive edition. This decision reflects Kolkata’s rich football heritage and passionate fan base that has embraced the competition.
Organized by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services, the Durand Cup uniquely brings together Services teams and India’s best football clubs in competitive action. This blend of military and civilian teams creates a distinctive character that sets the tournament apart from other domestic competitions.
In recent editions, the tournament has expanded its international profile by including foreign participation, featuring Army teams from neighboring nations. This addition has enhanced the competition’s prestige and provided valuable international exposure for participating teams.
The tournament’s format typically includes teams from the Indian Super League, I-League, and various Services teams, creating a comprehensive representation of Indian football. The competition serves as an important platform for player development and provides crucial match experience ahead of the domestic football season.
The month-long tournament schedule allows for comprehensive coverage across all venues, ensuring that football fans in each host state have multiple opportunities to witness top-level competition. The timing in July-August coincides with the pre-season preparation period for many clubs, making it an ideal competitive platform.
As Asia’s oldest football tournament, the Durand Cup carries significant historical importance and continues to play a vital role in Indian football’s development. The 2025 edition promises to maintain this legacy while embracing modern organizational standards and expanding its regional impact.
