The Durand Cup football tournament is set to kick off from August 3 to September 3 this year, according to the organising committee’s recent announcement. As the oldest football competition in Asia, the annual domestic football game is played in its 132nd edition and will take place across four different locations in India: Guwahati and Kokrajhar in Assam, Shillong in Meghalaya, and Kolkata in West Bengal.
The Durand Cup is known to mark the beginning of the domestic football season in India, and West Bengal clubs have dominated the competition since its establishment in 1888. Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, with each having won the championship 16 times, are considered the most successful teams in the tournament’s history.
Both teams also hold the record for the most consecutive wins, with Mohun Bagan winning back-to-back titles from 1963 to 1965, and in 1984 to 1986, and East Bengal clinching three consecutive titles from 1989 to 1991. Last year, Bengaluru FC took home the crown as reigning Durand Cup champions, having beaten Mumbai City FC 2-1 in the championship game held in Kolkata.
In its 2022 edition, the Durand Cup tournament saw participation from 20 different teams competing for the grand prize. Football enthusiasts and fans of India‘s domestic league can expect another exciting season this year with the addition of new teams, fresh talent, and the return of seasoned players.
The Durand Cup continues to attract football players and fans from all over Asia, and even beyond, cementing its position as one of the most prestigious football events on the continent. With the upcoming tournament poised to break new records and create history yet again, football lovers have yet another reason to tune in and cheer for their favourite teams.
