Durand Cup 2026 trophies unveiled by President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Synopsis
President Droupadi Murmu flagged off the Durand Cup 2026 trophies at Rashtrapati Bhavan, marking the countdown to the 135th edition of Asia's oldest football tournament. With a Sri Lanka team joining 24 clubs across five cities, and the iconic Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal clash set to open proceedings on 25 July in Kolkata, this edition is the most internationally diverse in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu unveiled the Durand Cup 2026 trophies at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre on 7 July 2026 .
The 135th edition of the tournament will feature 24 teams across six groups and five host cities .
A team from Sri Lanka is among the new entrants competing across the Durand Cup, President's Cup, and Shimla Trophy.
The tournament opens on 25 July with Mohun Bagan Super Giant (17-time champions) vs East Bengal FC (16-time winners) at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan , Kolkata.
Matches will be broadcast on Sony Sports Network and streamed live on SonyLIV ; the tournament concludes on 23 August .
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday, 7 July 2026 unveiled and flagged off the trophies of the Durand Cup Tournament 2026 at a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi, underscoring the tournament's historic role in developing Indian football talent.
President's Remarks on Football and the Durand Cup
Addressing the gathering, President Murmu congratulated all past and present officials and players associated with the Durand Cup, noting that the tournament has long served as a launchpad for numerous talented footballers. She described football as a unique example of excellence, unity, and sportsmanship — one of the most popular sports in the world.
The President also referenced the ongoing FIFA World Cup, observing that the world's finest teams and players are competing to enhance the prestige of football for their respective nations, drawing fans and inspiring sports enthusiasts across the globe.
New Teams and International Participation
President Murmu highlighted that several new teams would compete this year across three trophies — the Durand Cup, the President's Cup, and the Shimla Trophy — including a team from Sri Lanka. She expressed confidence that this expanded participation would make the historic competition even more popular and widely followed.
Murmu conveyed her best wishes to all participating teams and players, expressing hope that the tournament would play a significant role in nurturing football talent and helping India build a stronger presence on the global football stage.
135th Edition: Fixtures and Format
On 3 July, the Durand Cup Organising Committee announced the fixtures for the 135th edition of the tournament. The Indian Oil Durand Cup will open on 25 July with one of Indian football's most storied rivalries — record 17-time champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant facing 16-time winners East Bengal FC — at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
The tournament will feature 24 teams across six groups and five host cities, running through to 23 August. It brings together India's leading clubs, services teams, emerging football institutions, and international participants.
Broadcast and Streaming
All matches will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network, with live streaming available on the SonyLIV app, ensuring wide national and digital reach for the tournament's expanded audience.
With Sri Lanka's entry and a packed 24-team field, the 135th Durand Cup is shaping up to be the most internationally inclusive edition in the tournament's modern era.
Point of View
But the Durand Cup's structural evolution is the real story. Bringing in a Sri Lankan side and expanding to 24 teams signals a deliberate push to internationalise what is already Asia's oldest football tournament. Yet India's FIFA ranking remains modest, and the President herself acknowledged the country has 'a long journey ahead' on the global stage. Whether the Durand Cup's growing scale translates into a genuine talent pipeline — rather than a well-attended domestic spectacle — is the question administrators must answer over the next few editions.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Durand Cup 2026 trophy unveiling ceremony?
President Droupadi Murmu unveiled and flagged off the trophies of the Durand Cup Tournament 2026 on 7 July 2026 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi. She congratulated officials and players and expressed confidence that new team additions would make the competition more popular.
When and where does the Durand Cup 2026 begin?
The 135th edition of the Indian Oil Durand Cup begins on 25 July 2026 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, with the opening fixture between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC. The tournament runs until 23 August 2026.
Which new teams are participating in the Durand Cup 2026?
Several new teams have been added to the 2026 edition, including a team from Sri Lanka — marking a notable step toward international participation. New entrants will compete across the Durand Cup, the President's Cup, and the Shimla Trophy.
How many teams and cities are involved in the 2026 Durand Cup?
The tournament features 24 teams divided across six groups, playing in five host cities across India. It brings together leading Indian clubs, services teams, emerging football institutions, and international participants.
Where can fans watch the Durand Cup 2026 matches?
All matches will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network, with live streaming available on the SonyLIV app, making the tournament accessible to audiences across India and beyond.
