The Durand Cup 2025, Asia’s oldest and one of India’s most prestigious football tournaments, is set to kick off on July 23 with a fresh wave of excitement. This year’s edition promises to be bigger and better, featuring a record ₹3 crore prize pool, 24 dynamic teams, and participation from six Indian Super League (ISL) clubs. With matches hosted across five Indian states, including West Bengal and Assam, and individual awards that now include brand-new SUVs, the tournament is primed to deliver thrilling football action and national fanfare like never before.
🏆 Durand Cup 2025: India’s Football Season Begins with a Bang
Kolkata, July 23, 2025 – The 134ᵗʰ edition of the Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest football tournament, returns in grand style this summer. Launching on July 23 and wrapping up with a glittering final on August 23 in Kolkata, the IndianOil Durand Cup is set to make history with a host of major changes.
1. Prize Pool Multiplied
The tournament’s total prize money has been increased from roughly ₹1.2 crore to a massive ₹3 crore — a staggering threefold jump from previous years. Winners, runners-up, semifinalists, and quarterfinalists will all earn a share, while individual honors — Golden Boot, Golden Ball, and Best Goalkeeper — will now come with brand-new SUVs.
2. Expanded Reach: Five‑State Hosting
This year marks a significant geographic expansion. Matches will be played across Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Manipur (Imphal), bringing football fever to new horizons. New additions include Bodoland FC, 1Ladakh FC, Rangdajied United, and South United FC, strengthening the tournament’s local flavor.
3. Six ISL Teams in the Mix
Despite a drop from 12 to 6 Indian Super League (ISL) teams due to a standoff between AIFF and FSDL, marquee clubs including East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Jamshedpur, NorthEast United, Mohammedan, and Punjab FC will compete fiercely for top honors.
4. 24 Teams, Crowd‑Pumping Atmosphere
A total of 24 teams—blending ISL, I-League, armed forces contingents, and state league clubs—are grouped into six pools. The group phase unfolds across five host cities before the spectacle moves to Kolkata’s iconic venues: the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and Kishore Bharati Krirangan.
Local rivalries already promise fireworks: East Bengal vs. South United kicks off the action on Day 1, while regional derbies spotlight Mohammedan, Shillong Lajong, and Neroca. Organizers have allocated 5,000 tickets each to Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammedan SC, and Diamond Harbour FC to ensure a full-house experience.
5. Vibrant Finale with VIP Guests
Nothing less than West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to open the grand final on August 23. The boost in prize money, in tandem with expanded media coverage, reflects a new era for the tournament
✅ Final Take:
With ₹3 crore on the line, new award vehicles, and a footprint spanning five states, the 2025 Durand Cup marks a pivotal moment in Indian football’s evolution. Despite fewer ISL sides, the tournament promises sizzling regional rivalries, electric stadium atmospheres, and a fitting curtain-raiser to the 2025–26 season.
