President Droupadi Murmu Launches Durand Cup and Trophies for Nationwide Tour
New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu unveiled the esteemed Durand Cup, along with the President’s Cup and Shimla Trophy, at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday. Marking the beginning of the 133rd edition of the Durand Cup, this year’s tournament will commence on July 27 and culminate on August 31.
In an announcement on social media platform X, the official handle of the President highlighted, “President Droupadi Murmu unveiled and flagged off the Durand Cup, the President’s Cup, and Shimla Trophy at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President noted that football is one of the most popular sports globally and encouraged enthusiasts to work towards enhancing the standard of football in India.”
The tournament’s schedule was disclosed by the HQ Eastern Command of the Indian Army, representing the Durand Football Tournament Society (DFTS), which is organizing this year’s edition of Asia’s oldest football tournament.
This year, the tournament will feature two new host cities, Jamshedpur and Shillong, alongside Kokrajhar in Assam, which will host for the second consecutive year. Kolkata, a host for the past five years, remains a key venue.
The 133rd edition will showcase 24 teams representing the broad spectrum of Indian football, including the Indian Super League, I-League, other invitational teams, and Armed Forces teams. Additionally, international teams are anticipated to participate again this year.
The tournament will comprise 43 matches, played in a round-robin league-cum-knockout format, with the finals scheduled at the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata. The teams will be divided into six groups, with the group winners and the two best second-placed teams advancing to the knockout stage.
Kolkata will host three groups, while Kokrajhar, Shillong, and Jamshedpur will each host one group. The three prestigious Durand trophies will embark on a nationwide tour starting from New Delhi on July 10, arriving in Kolkata ahead of the opening match on July 27.
Defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant, who secured their 17th title last year, will aim to add another victory to their record. The tournament promises to be a celebration of football, bringing together diverse teams and showcasing the sport’s growth and popularity in India.
