Durand Cup 2025 trophies have been unveiled by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on July 4, 2025. It is the 134th edition of the Durand Cup, started in 1888 by Henry Mortimer Durand, British Foreign Secretary in charge of India. The Durand Cup Tournament 2025 will be organised across five cities, featuring 24 teams. Read on to learn more about this sports event!
Durand Cup 2025
The Durand Cup 2025 (officially the IndianOil Durand Cup) is the 134th edition of Asia’s oldest football tournament, organized by the Durand Football Tournament Society in collaboration with the AIFF and the Indian Armed Forces. This edition will feature 24 teams from across India. The Durand Cup 2025 tournament will be played across five Indian states: West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, Meghalaya, and Manipur.
Here is an overview of the 2025 Durand Cup:
| Durand Cup 2025 Overview |
| Edition |
134th edition |
| Official Name |
IndianOil Durand Cup (due to sponsorship by Indian Oil Corporation) |
| Founded |
1888 |
| Founder |
Henry Mortimer Durand, British Raj Foreign Secretary (1884–1894) |
| First Durand Cup |
Annadale, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India |
| Start Date |
23 July 2025 |
| End Date |
23 August 2025 |
| Defending Champions |
Northeast United FC |
| Organisers |
Durand Football Tournament Society, AIFF, Eastern Command of Indian Armed Forces, Government of West Bengal, supported by Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Jharkhand governments |
| Tournament Format |
Group stage with 6 groups (A-F), followed by knockout rounds starting on 16 August |
| Number of Matches |
43 matches |
| Prize Money (Expected) |
Increased from 2024's ₹1 crore total (₹60 lakh to champions, ₹30 lakh runners-up, ₹10 lakh individual awards) to a higher amount for 2025 |
Durand Cup History
The Durand Cup began in 1888, making it the oldest football tournament in Asia and one of the oldest in the world. It was started by Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, a British diplomat and military officer. Initially, it was a competition for British Indian Army regiments based in Shimla. The first final saw the Royal Scots Fusiliers beat the Highland Light Infantry.
Over time, Indian military teams and civilian clubs started participating. The tournament moved from Shimla to Delhi and now rotates across various Indian cities.In 1940, Mohammedan Sporting Club became the first civilian Indian team to win the title. Since then, Indian clubs like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Bengaluru FC have become regular contenders.
The tournament reflects Indian history, patriotism, and sportsmanship. Today, it is jointly organised by the Indian Armed Forces and the All India Football Federation, with support from state governments and football clubs.
Durand Cup 2025 Date
The Durand Cup 2025 is scheduled from 23 July to 23 August 2025. The tournament will kick off with a grand opening match featuring East Bengal FC and South United FC on 23 July. The knockout stages will be held in mid to late August, culminating in the final on August 23, 2025, in Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.
Durand Cup Tournament 2025 Details
The 2025 edition will host 24 teams, divided into six groups. These teams include six ISL clubs, I-League and I-League 2 teams, military sides, and invited foreign army teams.
Durand Cup 2025 Tournament Format
Group stage with 6 groups of 4 teams each, followed by knockout rounds (quarter-finals, semi-finals, final).
Teams Participating in Durand Cup 2025
-
ISL Clubs: Mohun Bagan SG, East Bengal FC, Mohammedan SC, NorthEast United FC, Punjab FC, Jamshedpur FC.
-
I-League Teams: Shillong Lajong, Real Kashmir, Sreenidi Deccan.
-
I-League 2/State League: Diamond Harbour FC, NEROCA, TRAU FC.
-
Military Teams: Indian Army FT, Indian Air Force FT, Indian Navy FT, BSF FT, ITBP FT.
-
Foreign Teams: Teams from Indonesia and Nepal (Tribhuvan Army).
Durand Cup Tournament 2025 Venues
Matches will be held in the following cities:
-
Kolkata (West Bengal)
-
Shillong (Meghalaya)
-
Jamshedpur (Jharkhand)
-
Kokrajhar (Assam)
-
Imphal (Manipur)
The tournament will follow a group-stage to knockout format. The top teams from each group and the best second-placed teams will qualify for the quarterfinals.
Durand Cup Winners' List
In earlier years, the tournament was dominated by British Army teams such as the Black Watch, the Highland Light Infantry, and the Royal Scots Fusiliers. Post-independence, Indian football clubs became more dominant, with Mohun Bagan being the most successful club with 17 titles.
Here is a list of the most successful and recent champions of the Durand Cup:
| Team |
Total Titles |
Most Recent Winning Year |
| Mohun Bagan Super Giant |
17 |
2023/24 |
| Kingfisher East Bengal |
16 |
2003/04 |
| Border Security Force FC |
7 |
1980/81 |
| Jagatjit Cotton & Textile Mills FC |
5 |
1995/96 |
| Black Watch |
5 |
1919/20 |
| Highland Light Infantry |
5 |
1888/89 |
| Lancashire Fusiliers |
4 |
1921/22 |
| Salgaocar FC |
3 |
2013/14 |
| Churchill Brothers FC |
3 |
2010/11 |
| Mahindra United FC |
3 |
2007/08 |
| Hyderabad City Police |
3 |
1953/54 |
| South Wales Borderers |
3 |
1900/01 |
| York & Lancaster Regiment |
3 |
1929/30 |
| Mohammedan SC (Kolkata) |
2 |
2012/13 |
| Gorkha Brigade |
2 |
1968/69 |
| Madras Regimental Centre |
2 |
1954/55 |
| Border Regiment |
2 |
1934/35 |
| King's Shropshire Light Infantry |
2 |
1932/33 |
| Sherwood Foresters |
2 |
1924/25 |
| Worcestershire Regiment |
2 |
1923/24 |
| Royal Scots |
2 |
1911/12 |
| Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) |
2 |
1906/07 |
| King's Own Scottish Borderers |
2 |
1891/92 |
| NorthEast United FC |
1 |
2024/25 |
| Bengaluru FC |
1 |
2021/22 |
| FC Goa |
1 |
2020/21 |
| Gokulam Kerala FC |
1 |
2018/19 |
| Army Green |
1 |
2015/16 |
| Air India FC |
1 |
2011/12 |
| Chirag United SC |
1 |
2009/10 |
| Dempo SC |
1 |
2005/06 |
| Army XI |
1 |
2004/05 |
| FC Kochin |
1 |
1996/97 |
| Andhra Pradesh Police |
1 |
1960/61 |
| Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders |
1 |
1935/36 |
| Royal Signals |
1 |
1933/34 |
| Devonshire Regiment |
1 |
1930/31 |
| Durham Light Infantry |
1 |
1925/26 |
| Cheshire Regiment |
1 |
1922/23 |
| Royal Dragoons |
1 |
1904/05 |
| North Staffordshire Regiment |
1 |
1903/04 |
| Royal Irish Rifles |
1 |
1902/03 |
| Hampshire Regiment |
1 |
1901/02 |
| Somerset Light Infantry |
1 |
1895/96 |
| Royal Scots Fusiliers |
1 |
1887/88 |
In summary, the Durand Cup 2025 is a celebration of heritage, passion, and the love for the beautiful game. With national and international participation, it continues to inspire young footballers and fans alike.
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