Why in News?
The 134th edition of the Durand Cup, the world’s oldest football tournament outside the British Isles, began in Kolkata. Established in 1888, the tournament has evolved from a military event to a pre-season showcase for top Indian football clubs.
Description:
- Sport: Football
- Established: 1888
- Founder: Sir Henry Mortimer Durand
- First Venue: Shimla
- Current Organizer: Indian Armed Forces
- Significance:
- Asia’s oldest and the world’s third-oldest football tournament
- Promotes discipline, unity, and sporting spirit
- Strong connection with Indian military history
Durand Cup 2025 Highlights:
| Particulars | Details |
| Edition | 134th |
| Inaugurated By | President Droupadi Murmu (July 4, 2025) |
| Tournament Dates | July 23 – August 23, 2025 |
| Total Teams | 24 |
| Organized By | Indian Armed Forces |
| Tournament Format | Group Stage + Knockout Rounds |
| Venue States | West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Jharkhand |
| Foreign Participation | Indonesian Army (first-time) |
| Flag-off Venue | Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre |
Major Venues (2025):
- Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
- Kishore Bharati Stadium, Kolkata
- JRD Tata Sports Complex / Morhabadi Stadium, Jharkhand
- Khuman Lampak Stadium, Imphal
- Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong
- SAI Stadium, Kokrajhar (Assam)
Key Teams in 2025:
Indian Super League (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
Armed Forces Teams:
- Indian Army
- Indian Navy
- Indian Air Force
- ITBP
- BSF (expected)
- Indonesian Army (international entry)
Durand Cup Trophies:
- Durand Cup (Rolling Trophy)
- Shimla Trophy
- President’s Cup
Historical Evolution:
- 1888: Initiated as a military competition for British Indian Army officers
- 1940: Shifted to New Delhi
- 2019: Moved to West Bengal to boost popularity
- Post-Independence Participation: Opened to civilian clubs
- Organizational Legacy: Supported and maintained by the Indian Armed Forces
Cultural and National Significance:
- Reinforces national unity, patriotism, and youth development
- Encourages military-civilian and international sporting collaboration
- Supported at the highest levels of governance and defence leadership
- Especially impactful in football-loving regions like North-East India
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
