The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup kicked off at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on 25 July 2026 with a high-voltage derby between East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant — Asia's oldest football tournament returning to its spiritual home with full ceremonial fanfare. Mohun Bagan Super Giant edged the contest, winning by a single goal to claim the opening-match bragging rights.

A Ceremony Steeped in Tradition

The opening ceremony at VYBK wove together India's martial heritage and West Bengal's artistic traditions. Performances included the Khukri Dance, Gatka, Seraikella Chhau, Kalaripayattu, Jhanjh Pathak, and demonstrations of Krav Maga and the North-East Warriors — a deliberate nod to the Indian Armed Forces' role as the tournament's founding custodian.

The centrepiece was the ceremonial Trophy Drill, presenting the three trophies awarded to Durand Cup champions: the Durand Cup, the President's Cup, and the Simla Trophy. An audio-visual presentation traced the tournament's 138-year journey, underscoring its place in Indian sporting memory.

Dignitaries and Military Honours

Indranil Khan, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Services and Sports, Government of West Bengal, performed the ceremonial kick-off and officially declared the tournament open. Also present were Tapas Roy, Minister-in-Charge, Department of Industry; Dilip Ghosh, Minister of Panchayat and Rural Development; and Sharadwat Mukherjee, Minister of Health and Family Welfare — all of the Government of West Bengal.

Senior military representation included Lieutenant General V.M.B. Krishnan, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command and patron of the Durand Cup Organising Committee; Lieutenant General Gambhir Singh, Chief of Staff, Eastern Command and chairman of the Organising Committee; Major General Dinesh Kumar Singh, General Officer Commanding, Bengal Sub Area and vice chairman; and Major General Rupesh Sehgal, General Officer Commanding, Combat IBG 122.

Army helicopters performed a ceremonial flypast over the stadium, carrying the National Flag and the Durand Cup Flag — a spectacle that has become synonymous with the tournament's opening ritual.

Inclusivity at the Heart of the Event

Players were accompanied onto the pitch by children from three groups: differently abled students from ASHA School run by Eastern Command, children from the Barrackpur Avenue Women's Cultural and Social Welfare Society, and children of serving soldiers. The gesture reflected the Indian Army's stated commitment to community engagement and inclusivity.

Tournament Format and Broadcast Details

The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup runs from 25 July to 23 August 2026 across five host cities — Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, Shillong, and Imphal — with six venues hosting 43 matches. The field features 24 teams, including a foreign side representing the Sri Lankan armed forces, making it one of the more internationally flavoured editions in recent memory.

Organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army on behalf of all three Services, the Durand Cup is the world's third-oldest surviving football competition, established in 1888. Matches will be streamed live on Sony LIV and telecast on Sony Ten 5 HD and SD. With the group stage now underway, all eyes will be on whether Mohun Bagan can carry their opening-night momentum deep into the knockout rounds.