Oriental Cup 2026: Fourth edition kicks off July 7 at Ambedkar Stadium
Synopsis
The Oriental Cup returns for its fourth edition with its biggest prize pool yet and a brand-new ₹2.5 lakh scholarship for 10 student-athletes — a sign that what started as a Delhi-NCR school tournament in 2023 is rapidly evolving into a serious grassroots football institution, with girls now making up nearly 40% of all competing teams.
Key Takeaways
The Oriental Cup 2026 runs from 7 July to 16 July at Dr Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi .
More than 1,500 participants from over 45 schools across Delhi-NCR are expected to compete.
Organisers have announced a record prize pool and a ₹2.5 lakh scholarship programme for 10 student-athletes .
Girls' teams now account for nearly 40% of all participating teams, with numbers doubling since the inaugural 2023 edition.
Since launch, the tournament has engaged 55+ institutions and NGOs , reached 2,700+ footballers , and hosted 80+ matches .
The fourth edition of the Oriental Cup, one of Delhi-NCR's premier inter-school football tournaments, is set to be held from 7 July to 16 July 2026 at Dr Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi. Organisers have announced a record prize pool alongside a ₹2.5 lakh scholarship programme for 10 deserving student-athletes, marking the tournament's most ambitious edition since its launch in 2023.
Scale and Participation
The tournament is expected to draw more than 1,500 participants from over 45 schools across the Delhi-NCR region. More than 50 matches are scheduled across two categories — Boys' Under-17 and Girls' Under-19. Over 25 teams will compete in the boys' draw, while more than 16 teams will feature in the girls' category.
What the Founder Said
Oriental Cup founder Fareed Bakshi said the event is designed to expand opportunities for young footballers and deepen grassroots development. 'Every edition of the Oriental Cup is about creating more opportunities for young footballers. This year, we have more than doubled the tournament's prize pool and introduced a ₹2.5 lakh scholarship programme for 10 deserving student-athletes, reinforcing our commitment to recognising and supporting young talent,' Bakshi said.
He also highlighted the surge in female participation. 'We are equally encouraged by the remarkable growth in girls' participation, with the number of girls' teams doubling since our inaugural edition and now accounting for nearly 40 per cent of all participating teams. These milestones strengthen our belief that we are moving in the right direction as we work towards building the Oriental Cup into one of India's most respected inter-school football tournaments,' he added.
Growth Since Inception
Since its inaugural edition in 2023, the Oriental Cup has engaged more than 55 educational institutions and NGOs, reached over 2,700 young footballers, and hosted more than 80 competitive matches. The steady rise in girls' teams — doubling from the first edition — reflects a broader push by the organisers to promote equal access to competitive school football. This comes amid growing national interest in grassroots football development, with several state associations and private bodies scaling up youth programmes ahead of India's co-hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
What to Watch
The scholarship programme, a first for the Oriental Cup, is expected to set a precedent for inter-school tournaments in the region by directly linking sporting achievement to academic support. With the tournament growing year on year, organisers have signalled ambitions to position the Oriental Cup as a nationally recognised platform for school-level football talent.
Point of View
1,500-player event with a scholarship fund — is exactly the kind of private-sector grassroots investment Indian football needs but rarely gets at the school level. The near-40% female participation figure is the real headline: most school tournaments still treat girls' football as an afterthought. Whether the ₹2.5 lakh scholarship is a one-off headline move or the start of a replicable model will determine whether the Oriental Cup becomes a talent pipeline or remains a well-run local event.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Oriental Cup 2026 being held?
The Oriental Cup 2026 will be held from 7 July to 16 July 2026 at Dr Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi. The tournament features Boys' Under-17 and Girls' Under-19 categories across more than 50 scheduled matches.
What is the ₹2.5 lakh scholarship programme at the Oriental Cup?
The Oriental Cup 2026 has introduced a ₹2.5 lakh scholarship programme for 10 deserving student-athletes, marking the first such initiative in the tournament's history. It is aimed at recognising and supporting young talent beyond the pitch.
How many schools and players are participating in Oriental Cup 2026?
More than 45 schools from across Delhi-NCR are participating, with over 1,500 players expected to take part. More than 25 teams are entered in the Boys' Under-17 draw and over 16 in the Girls' Under-19 category.
How has girls' participation grown in the Oriental Cup?
The number of girls' teams has doubled since the tournament's inaugural edition in 2023 and now accounts for nearly 40% of all participating teams. Organisers have cited this as a key milestone in promoting equal opportunities in school football.
What has the Oriental Cup achieved since its launch in 2023?
Since 2023, the Oriental Cup has engaged more than 55 educational institutions and NGOs, reached over 2,700 young footballers, and hosted more than 80 competitive matches across four editions.
