Kolkata, July 2: The 135th edition of the Durand Cup will begin on July 25 and run until August 23, featuring 24 teams across five venues. The opening match will be played in Kolkata at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.

The 24 teams have been divided into six groups. The most successful club in the Durand Cup tournament’s history, Mohun Bagan SG, and the second-most successful club, East Bengal FC, have been placed in Group A. Another historic club, Mohammedan SC, has been drawn in Group B. And the defending champions Northeast United FC placed in group F.

Four teams will make their Durand Cup debut this season, Baghpat FC, Defenders FC from Sri Lanka, FC Raengdai, and Mumbay FC.

Durand Cup 2026 Six Groups:

Group A:

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

Group B:

Mohammedan SC
Baghpat FC
Indian Army Football Team
Samaleswari Sporting

Group C:

Jamshedpur FC
Sporting Club Delhi
Indian Air Force Football Team
Defenders FC (Sri Lanka)

Group D:

TRAU FC
NEROCA FC
Indian Navy Football Team
FC Raengdai

Group E:

Shillong Lajong FC
Nongkseh Sports, Social & Cultural Club
Langsning FC
Mumbay FC

Group F:

NorthEast United FC
FC1 (J&K and Ladakh)
Bodoland FC
Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC

Group A and Group B matches will be hosted in Kolkata across two venues. Group C matches will be played in debutant city Ranchi, while Group D will be played in Imphal. Group E matches will take place in Shillong, and finally, Group F will be played in Guwahati.

Apart from the league-stage matches, the knockout phase will be played across three host cities. Kolkata will host two quarter-finals, one semi-final and the final, while Ranchi and Imphal will host one quarter-final each. Shillong will stage the other semi-final before the tournament concludes with the final at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on August 23. Fixtures will be release soon.