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Durand Cup 2025, Asia’s oldest football tournament, was flagged off by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Featuring 24 teams across 5 states, it celebrates India's football legacy and Armed Forces’ role in sports development.
PWOnlyIAS
July 05, 2025
Durand Cup 2025, Asia’s oldest and the world’s third-oldest football tournament, returns for its 134th edition with renewed energy and national fervour. Officially flagged off by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre on July 4, the tournament continues to symbolise India’s rich footballing heritage and the enduring contribution of the Indian Armed Forces to sports development.
The President lauded the spirit of football and its power to unite people across regions and communities, highlighting how events like the Durand Cup 2025 foster discipline, passion, and national pride.
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The Durand Cup 2025 marks the 134th edition of Asia’s oldest football tournament, embodying tradition, discipline, and the enduring legacy of Indian football. Organised by the Indian Armed Forces, this year’s edition will take place across six venues in five Indian states, featuring a diverse lineup of teams including top Indian Super League clubs, armed forces teams, and international participants like the Indonesian Army.
Below is a comprehensive overview of the key highlights of the Durand Cup Tournament 2025:
| Durand Cup 2025 Overview | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Edition | 134th |
| Tournament Name | Durand Cup 2025 |
| Organised By | Indian Armed Forces |
| Inauguration Date | July 4, 2025 (Trophies flagged off by President of India) |
| Tournament Dates | July 23 – August 23, 2025 |
| Total Teams Participating | 24 |
| Number of Groups | 6 |
| Participating ISL Clubs | Mohun Bagan SG, East Bengal, NorthEast United FC, Punjab FC, Jamshedpur FC, Mohammedan SC |
| New Entrants | South United FC, 1Ladakh, Diamond Harbour FC, etc. |
| Foreign Participants | Indonesian Army (Confirmed), Others (Likely) |
| Armed Forces Teams | Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, ITBP, BSF (Likely) |
| Confirmed States Hosting Matches | West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur |
| Major Venues | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Khuman Lampak Stadium, JRD Tata Sports Complex, etc. |
| Tournament Format | Group Stage + Knockout Round |
| Historical Significance | Oldest football tournament in Asia (est. 1888) |
| Flag-off Ceremony Venue | Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi |
The Durand Cup is the oldest football tournament in Asia and the third-oldest in the world, representing over a century of Indian football heritage. It was started in 1888 by Sir Henry Mortimer Durand in Shimla. Originally conceived to promote health and competitive spirit among British Indian Army officers, it gradually opened to civilian clubs, becoming a prestigious and inclusive competition. For decades, the Durand Cup has not only showcased football excellence but also embodied a spirit of unity and service.
Source: Wikipedia
The Durand Cup history dates back to 1888, when Sir Henry Mortimer Durand established it in Shimla as a health initiative for British troops in India. It was initially contested among British Indian Army regiments.
Source: Wikipedia
However, over the decades, it opened to civilian teams, becoming a pan-Indian football event. The first Durand Cup held in 1888, when it was first held in Shimla. Over time, the tournament moved to New Delhi in 1940, before relocating to West Bengal in 2019 to rejuvenate its appeal in football-loving states. The tournament has traditionally been supported by the Indian Armed Forces, who continue to maintain its cultural relevance.
The Cup includes three trophies:
These symbolise victory, legacy, and national pride.
Source: PIB
The Durand Cup Tournament 2025 will take place from July 23 to August 23, across six venues in five states: West Bengal, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Assam. The Durand Cup 2025 will feature 24 teams divided into six groups.. This multi-state format underlines its growing national significance and cultural penetration, especially in regions where football is more than a sport—it’s a way of life.
This year marks a historic first with Indonesia’s Army team participating, enhancing the tournament’s global appeal. The tournament’s inaugural match will feature East Bengal vs. South United FC, and the iconic Mohun Bagan SG vs. Mohammedan SC clash will highlight the group stage.
Source: Pib
The Durand Cup is associated with football and holds a special place in Indian football, making a significant contribution to the sport’s growth in the country. The event has evolved from an exclusive military competition to a vibrant national festival celebrating football.
The Durand Cup 2025 will see participation from 24 teams, including top-tier Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, traditional I-League teams, and armed forces contingents. Confirmed clubs include:
From the defence services:
Expected entries:
With AIFF’s agreement with FSDL ending in December, some ISL clubs have withdrawn. Only six of the 13 ISL clubs have confirmed participation. President Murmu’s involvement reflects the tournament’s elevated national stature and continued alignment with values of unity, discipline, and aspiration.
Her remarks at the flag-off ceremony stressed the role of sports in promoting national integration, especially football, which she called “a passion and a symbol of teamwork and endurance.”
For over a century, the Durand Cup has witnessed some of the greatest footballing moments in India. Teams like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, JCT, Border Security Force, and various armed forces units have dominated the tournament across eras. Here is the post-independence Durand Cup winners list:
| Durand Cup Winners List (Season-wise) | ||
| Season | Winning Team | Coach |
| 2024/25 | NorthEast United FC | Juan Pedro Benali |
| 2023/24 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | Juan Ferrando |
| 2021/22 | Bengaluru FC | – |
| 2020/21 | FC Goa | Juan Ferrando |
| 2018/19 | Gokulam Kerala FC | Santiago Varela |
| 2015/16 | Army Green | Sajith Kumar |
| 2013/14 | Salgaocar FC | – |
| 2012/13 | Mohammedan SC (Kolkata) | – |
| 2011/12 | Air India FC | – |
| 2010/11 | Churchill Brothers FC | Drago Mamić |
| 2009/10 | Chirag United SC | – |
| 2008/09 | Churchill Brothers FC | – |
| 2007/08 | Mahindra United FC | – |
| 2006/07 | Churchill Brothers FC | – |
| 2005/06 | Dempo SC | – |
| 2004/05 | Army XI | – |
| 2003/04 | Salgaocar FC | – |
| 2003/04 | Kingfisher East Bengal | – |
| 2002/03 | Kingfisher East Bengal | – |
| 2001/02 | Mahindra United FC | – |
| 1999/00 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | – |
| 1998/99 | Salgaocar FC | – |
| 1997/98 | Mahindra & Mahindra Allied Sports Club | – |
| 1996/97 | FC Kochin | – |
| 1995/96 | Jagatjit Cotton & Textile Mills FC | – |
| 1994/95 | Kingfisher East Bengal | – |
| 1993/94 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | – |
| 1992/93 | Kingfisher East Bengal | – |
| 1991/92 | Jagatjit Cotton & Textile Mills FC | – |
| 1990/91 | Kingfisher East Bengal | – |
| 1989/90 | Kingfisher East Bengal | – |
| 1988/89 | Kingfisher East Bengal | – |
| 1987/88 | Border Security Force FC | – |
| 1986/87 | Jagatjit Cotton & Textile Mills FC | – |
| 1985/86 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | – |
| 1984/85 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | – |
| 1983/84 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | – |
| 1982/83 | Jagatjit Cotton & Textile Mills FC | – |
| 1981/82 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | – |
| 1981/82 | Kingfisher East Bengal | – |
| 1980/81 | Border Security Force FC | – |
| 1979/80 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | – |
| 1978/79 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | – |
| 1977/78 | Kingfisher East Bengal | – |
| 1976/77 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | – |
| 1975/76 | Border Security Force FC | – |
| 1975/76 | Jagatjit Cotton & Textile Mills FC | – |
| 1974/75 | Border Security Force FC | – |
| 1973/74 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | – |
| 1972/73 | Border Security Force FC | – |
| 1971/72 | Kingfisher East Bengal | – |
| 1970/71 | Border Security Force FC | – |
| 1969/70 | Kingfisher East Bengal | – |
| 1968/69 | Gorkha Brigade | – |
| 1967/68 | Border Security Force FC | – |
| 1966/67 | Kingfisher East Bengal | – |
| 1965/66 | Gorkha Brigade | – |
| 1964/65 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | – |
| 1963/64 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | – |
| 1962/63 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | – |
| 1960/61 | Andhra Pradesh Police | – |
| 1959/60 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | – |
| 1959/60 | Kingfisher East Bengal | – |
| 1958/59 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | – |
| 1957/58 | Madras Regimental Centre | – |
| 1956/57 | Hyderabad City Police | – |
| 1955/56 | Kingfisher East Bengal | – |
| 1954/55 | Madras Regimental Centre | – |
| 1953/54 | Hyderabad City Police | – |
| 1952/53 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | – |
| 1951/52 | Kingfisher East Bengal | – |
| 1950/51 | Kingfisher East Bengal | – |
| 1949/50 | Hyderabad City Police | – |
| 1939/40 | Mohammedan SC (Kolkata) | – |
| 1937/38 | South Wales Borderers | – |
| 1936/37 | Border Regiment | – |
| 1935/36 | Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders | – |
| 1934/35 | Border Regiment | – |
| 1933/34 | Royal Signals | – |
| 1932/33 | King’s Shropshire Light Infantry | – |
| 1931/32 | King’s Shropshire Light Infantry | – |
| 1930/31 | Devonshire Regiment | – |
| 1929/30 | York & Lancaster Regiment | – |
| 1928/29 | York & Lancaster Regiment | – |
| 1927/28 | Sherwood Foresters | – |
| 1926/27 | York & Lancaster Regiment | – |
| 1925/26 | Durham Light Infantry | – |
| 1924/25 | Sherwood Foresters | – |
| 1923/24 | Worcestershire Regiment | – |
| 1922/23 | Cheshire Regiment | – |
| 1921/22 | Lancashire Fusiliers | – |
| 1920/21 | Worcestershire Regiment | – |
| 1919/20 | Black Watch | – |
| 1912/13 | Lancashire Fusiliers | – |
| 1911/12 | Royal Scots | – |
| 1910/11 | Black Watch | – |
| 1909/10 | Royal Scots | – |
| 1908/09 | Lancashire Fusiliers | – |
| 1907/08 | Lancashire Fusiliers | – |
| 1906/07 | Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) | – |
| 1905/06 | Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) | – |
| 1904/05 | Royal Dragoons | – |
| 1903/04 | North Staffordshire Regiment | – |
| 1902/03 | Royal Irish Rifles | – |
| 1901/02 | Hampshire Regiment | – |
| 1900/01 | South Wales Borderers | – |
| 1899/00 | South Wales Borderers | – |
| 1897/98 | Black Watch | – |
| 1896/97 | Black Watch | – |
| 1895/96 | Somerset Light Infantry | – |
| 1894/95 | Highland Light Infantry | – |
| 1893/94 | Highland Light Infantry | – |
| 1892/93 | Highland Light Infantry | – |
| 1891/92 | King’s Own Scottish Borderers | – |
| 1890/91 | King’s Own Scottish Borderers | – |
| 1889/90 | Highland Light Infantry | – |
| 1888/89 | Black Watch | – |
| 1888/89 | Highland Light Infantry | – |
| 1887/88 | Royal Scots Fusiliers | – |
More than a sporting event, the Durand Cup 2025 represents a confluence of patriotism, discipline, and youth development. As the President rightly stated, football in India is not just a sport — it is a passion and identity, particularly in regions like North-East India. The tournament is a proud legacy carried forward by the Indian Armed Forces, who continue to promote football’s spirit and expand its national outreach.
The symbolic presence of the President of India, the Chiefs of Defence Staff, and heads of the Army, Navy, and Air Force at the opening ceremony further exemplifies the tournament’s importance.
As the Durand Cup 2025 kicks off, it reinforces the timeless appeal of football in India. With emerging clubs, international participation, and widespread regional involvement, the Durand Cup Tournament 2025 reflects a progressive and inclusive vision for Indian football. From its humble beginnings in 1888 to its modern-day glory, the Durand Cup has become a living symbol of India’s footballing heritage and a rallying point for sport, service, and national pride.
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