135th Durand Cup Trophy Tour reaches Ranchi, marking city's historic debut as host
Synopsis
Ranchi has entered the Durand Cup map for the first time in the tournament's 135-year history. The Trophy Tour's arrival at Dipatoli Military Station on 19 July sets the stage for Group C action at Birsa Munda Football Stadium from 26 July — a milestone that extends India's oldest football competition into a new sporting heartland.
Key Takeaways
The 135th Durand Cup Trophy Tour reached Ranchi on 19 July 2025 , marking the city's first-ever appearance as a host venue.
The three trophies — Durand Cup , President's Cup , and Simla Trophy — were received at Kerketta Auditorium, Dipatoli Military Station .
Ranchi will host all Group C fixtures at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium , starting 26 July with Jamshedpur FC vs Defenders FC.
The city will also stage a quarter-final on 16 August .
The Trophy Tour heads to Gumla on 20 July and Kolkata on 22 July before the tournament kicks off on 25 July .
The 135th Durand Cup features 24 teams , 43 matches , and 6 venues across five cities from 25 July to 23 August 2026 .
The Trophy Tour of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup arrived in Ranchi on Saturday, 19 July 2025, marking the Jharkhand capital's debut as a host venue for Asia's oldest and the world's third-oldest surviving football competition. The tournament's three iconic trophies — the Durand Cup, the President's Cup, and the Simla Trophy — were received at the Kerketta Auditorium, Dipatoli Military Station, in a ceremonial function organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army.
A Grand Welcome in the Jharkhand Capital
The reception ceremony was attended by Sudivya Kumar, Minister for Tourism, Art, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Jharkhand, as Chief Guest, and Major General Sajjan Singh Maan, General Officer Commanding, Combat IBG 23, as Guest of Honour. Senior civil and military officials, club representatives, sponsors, and members of the football fraternity were also present.
The event featured a screening tracing the legacy of the Durand Cup, followed by the ceremonial unveiling of the three trophies. Cultural performances showcasing Bhangra, Santhali, and Chhau dances added colour to the occasion before the trophies were ceremonially displayed and the Trophy Road Show was flagged off.
What Officials Said
Sudivya Kumar said, 'It is a matter of great pride and immense pleasure to welcome the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup to Ranchi. We eagerly look forward to the opening match on July 26, which will be graced by the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. I am confident that football lovers will witness an exciting tournament.'
Major General Sajjan Singh Maan noted that following the successful hosting of the Durand Cup in Jamshedpur last year, the tournament has now expanded to Ranchi for the first time. 'This reflects our commitment to taking top-quality football to new regions while further strengthening Jharkhand's rich footballing tradition. We are delighted that the Birsa Munda Football Stadium has become part of the proud legacy of the Durand Cup,' he said.
Colonel Hem Chandra, Nodal Officer, Ranchi, called it 'a proud milestone,' adding that the city looks forward to showcasing Jharkhand's passion for football and making Ranchi's debut a memorable success.
The Trophy Road Show Through Ranchi
Following the flag-off, the Trophy Road Show carried the three trophies through central Ranchi, travelling via Kokar, Lalpur Chowk, Karamtoli Road, Kutchery Road, and Sujata Chowk before returning to Dipatoli Military Station. The convoy halted at Nucleus Mall, Morabadi Ground, and Firayalal Chowk, where cultural performances by the Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs alongside Army band displays drew large crowds of football enthusiasts.
Ranchi's Fixtures and What Comes Next
Ranchi will host all Group C fixtures at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium. The group features Indian Super League sides Jamshedpur FC and Sporting Club Delhi, the Indian Air Force Football Team, and Durand Cup debutants Defenders FC of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. Ranchi's inaugural Durand Cup campaign opens on 26 July with Jamshedpur FC taking on Defenders FC and concludes on 13 August with Jamshedpur FC facing the Indian Air Force Football Team. The city will also host a quarter-final on 16 August.
The Trophy Tour will next travel to Gumla on 20 July for a special outreach programme, before reaching Kolkata on 22 July. The 135th Durand Cup runs from 25 July to 23 August 2026 across five host cities — Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, Shillong, and Imphal — featuring 24 teams across 43 matches at six venues. The tournament opens with the Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on 25 July and concludes with the Final at the same venue on 23 August.
Point of View
Non-metro India, where football has deep grassroots roots but little elite exposure. Jharkhand produced Sunil Chhetri's generation of club footballers, yet its capital has never hosted a marquee national tournament at this level. The real measure of success will not be the opening-day crowd but whether the tournament leaves behind infrastructure, scouting pipelines, and a local fan base that sustains beyond the final whistle. Eastern Command's track record in Jamshedpur offers cautious optimism, but the Gumla outreach leg — taking the trophies to a district town, not just the capital — suggests a more deliberate community-engagement model this time.
NationPress
19 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Ranchi's inclusion in the 135th Durand Cup historically significant?
Ranchi is hosting the Durand Cup for the first time in the tournament's 135-year history, making it the newest city on the competition's host map. The inclusion extends the world's third-oldest surviving football competition into Jharkhand, a state with strong footballing roots but limited top-tier tournament exposure.
Which matches will be played in Ranchi during the 135th Durand Cup?
Ranchi will host all Group C fixtures at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium. The group features Jamshedpur FC, Sporting Club Delhi, the Indian Air Force Football Team, and Sri Lankan Armed Forces side Defenders FC. Matches run from 26 July to 13 August, with a quarter-final also scheduled on 16 August.
What are the three trophies of the Durand Cup?
The Durand Cup competition awards three trophies — the Durand Cup, the President's Cup, and the Simla Trophy. All three were on display during the Trophy Tour and road show in Ranchi on 19 July 2025.
When and where does the 135th Durand Cup begin?
The 135th Durand Cup kicks off on 25 July 2026 with the Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The Final is scheduled for 23 August at the same venue.
How many teams and venues are part of the 135th Durand Cup?
The 135th edition features 24 teams — including one international side, Defenders FC of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces — competing across 43 matches at six venues in five host cities: Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, Shillong, and Imphal.
