The Indian football season for 2024-25 will kick off with the Durand Cup 2024, scheduled to begin on July 27th at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. As Asia’s oldest active football tournament, the Durand Cup will feature a thrilling competition between 24 teams from the Indian Super League, I-League, Services and other invited sides. Adding to the excitement, international teams are anticipated to participate, mirroring the previous edition.
The 24 participating teams will be divided into six groups, with eight teams ultimately qualifying for the knockout stage. These qualifiers will be determined by the group toppers and the two best second-placed sides. This year’s tournament will see an expansion of venues compared to the previous year. While Kolkata retains its role as the main host, hosting three groups, two new cities, Jamshedpur and Shillong, have been added to the roster, each hosting one group. Kokrajhar, which served as an additional venue last year, will again host one group.
The Durand Cup holds significant historical importance in Indian football. The defending champions, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, will be looking to defend their title after a triumphant victory over their arch-rivals, East Bengal, in the final of the previous edition. This victory marked their 17th Durand Cup title, a testament to their dominance in the tournament. The Durand Cup 2024 promises to be an exciting showcase of Indian footballing talent and a testament to the enduring legacy of this historic tournament.
