Kolkata: The domestic season-opener Durand Cup football tournament will be held across four venues from July 27 to August 31, with Indian Super League, I-League and other invitational teams competing.
The 133rd edition of Asia's oldest tournament will see 43 matches played in a round-robin league-cum-knockout format, with the opening match and the final taking place at the iconic Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata.
The 24 participating teams will be divided into six groups. Eight teams – the group toppers and the two best second-placed teams – will qualify for the knockout stage.
Organizers said on Tuesday that like last year, international teams are expected to participate this year too.
Continuing its commitment to expand the tournament further into the East and North-East, this year two new cities – Jamshedpur and Shillong have been added as host venues.
Apart from Kolkata, which has been the host for the last five years, matches will be held in Kokrajhar, Assam for the second consecutive year.
Kolkata will host three groups while Kokrajhar, Shillong and Jamshedpur will host one group each.
ISL side Mohun Bagan Super Giants are the defending champions, having won the tournament for a record 17th time, the most by any team.
The 133rd edition of Asia's oldest tournament will see 43 matches played in a round-robin league-cum-knockout format, with the opening match and the final taking place at the iconic Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata.
The 24 participating teams will be divided into six groups. Eight teams – the group toppers and the two best second-placed teams – will qualify for the knockout stage.
Organizers said on Tuesday that like last year, international teams are expected to participate this year too.
Continuing its commitment to expand the tournament further into the East and North-East, this year two new cities – Jamshedpur and Shillong have been added as host venues.
Apart from Kolkata, which has been the host for the last five years, matches will be held in Kokrajhar, Assam for the second consecutive year.
Kolkata will host three groups while Kokrajhar, Shillong and Jamshedpur will host one group each.
ISL side Mohun Bagan Super Giants are the defending champions, having won the tournament for a record 17th time, the most by any team.
