President Unveils Durand Cup 2026 Trophy

President Unveils Durand Cup 2026 Trophy

General Studies Paper II: Sports

Why in News?

Recently, President Droupadi Murmu unveiled and flagged off the Durand Cup 2026 trophies at Rashtrapati Bhavan,.

What is Durand Cup?

About: The Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest football tournament and among the world’s oldest football competitions.
- Initially conceived as a military competition, it laid the foundation for organized football in India.
Purpose & Evaluation: The tournament was originally restricted to British Indian Army regiments to promote physical fitness, discipline, and camaraderie.
- It was later opened to civilian clubs in 1925, transforming into India’s premier domestic football competition.
- The tournament permanently shifted its headquarters to New Delhi in 1940.
- In 1940, Mohammedan Sporting Club of Kolkata made history by becoming the first native civilian team to lift the prestigious trophy.
- In modern days, it has been hosted in Kolkata, Shillong, Kokrajhar, Imphal, and Jamshedpur.
Establishment: The tournament was founded in 1888 at Annandale, Shimla, during British India by Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, then Foreign Secretary to the Government of India.
- The competition is named after his name.
Organising Authority: The competition is organised by the Durand Football Tournament Society (DFTS) under the leadership of the Indian Armed Forces (Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force), in partnership with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and state governments.
- The Society is headed by the Chief of Defence Staff, with the three Service Chiefs playing key leadership roles.
- It is being organised by HQ Eastern Command since 2019.
- It remains India’s only major football tournament managed by the Armed Forces.
Tournament Format: The tournament comprises 24 competing teams divided into 6 distinct round-robin groups.
- The competition presently follows a group-stage followed by knockout rounds.
- National League teams are seeded straight into the league stage, while the Services Football Champion earns a direct, preferential spot in the quarterfinals.
- The tournament features Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, I-League teams, Armed Forces teams, and selected international clubs.
Winning Trophy: The champions receive the President’s Cup, Durand Cup Trophy and Shimla Trophy.
- The President’s Cup, formerly known as the Viceroy’s Trophy, was introduced post-independence in 1950 by India’s first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
  - Designed with a circular disc atop the Ashoka Lion Capital, this is a rolling trophy that remains in the winning team’s permanent possession.
- The Durand Cup was officially classified as a rolling trophy in 1965. This original prize must be held by the winner for exactly one year and returned before the start of the next edition.
- The Shimla Trophy was donated by the citizens of Shimla in 1904 to reflect their massive enthusiasm and local support for the historic football competition. It serves as the third rolling trophy.
Major Records: Mohun Bagan Super Giant is the most successful club with 17 titles, while several historic clubs, including East Bengal and Mohammedan SC, have shaped the tournament’s rich competitive legacy.
- The 134th edition (2025) was won by NorthEast United FC. They achieved a staggering 6–1 victory over Diamond Harbour FC in the grand finale.
2026 Edition: The 135th edition of the Durand Cup will be held in 2026.
- It is scheduled from 25 July to 23 August 2026, spanning nearly one month.

A total of 24 teams will compete, including two foreign clubs (Sri Lankan armed forces: Defenders FC), featuring seven debutant teams.
Matches will be played across five cities—Kolkata, Shillong, Kokrajhar, Jamshedpur, and Ranchi.
- Ranchi will host the Durand Cup for the first time, marking the tournament’s expansion into Jharkhand.
The competition will be staged at six stadiums across the five host cities.
NorthEast United FC will enter as the defending champions.
Significance: The Durand Cup represents over 138 years of uninterrupted football heritage (except during wars and the pandemic).
- It has survived colonial rule, Independence, and modern professional football.
- It is recognized as the third-oldest football tournament in the world, positioned right behind the FA Cup of England.
- It was recognised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as a domestic cup competition.
- It serves as India’s traditional season-opening tournament, offering competitive preparation, and talent identification.

Major Indian Domestic Sports Competitions

Ranji Trophy: The Ranji Trophy, started in 1934, is India’s premier first-class cricket championship organised by the BCCI. It is the primary pathway for selection to the Indian Test team.
Duleep Trophy: The Duleep Trophy, instituted in 1961, is a prestigious first-class inter-zonal/inter-team tournament that provides high-level competition for India’s top domestic cricketers before international selection.
Vijay Hazare Trophy: The Vijay Hazare Trophy is India’s premier List-A (50-over) domestic championship. It develops ODI specialists.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is India’s leading T20 domestic competition, organised by the BCCI. It plays a crucial role in identifying players for the IPL and India’s T20 squad.
Santosh Trophy: The Santosh Trophy, introduced in 1941, is India’s national football championship contested by states and government institutions, promoting grassroots football across the country.
Rangaswamy Cup: The Rangaswamy Cup is India’s historic Senior National Hockey Championship trophy for men and remains one of the country’s most prestigious domestic hockey competitions.

FAQs:

1. What is the Durand Cup?
Asia’s oldest football tournament, established in 1888, and the world’s third-oldest surviving football competition.

2. Why did President Droupadi Murmu unveil the Durand Cup 2026 trophy?
To officially flag off the 135th Durand Cup and encourage football talent and sporting excellence.

3. Where was the trophy unveiling ceremony held?
At the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi, on 7 July 2026.

4. Why is the Durand Cup important in Indian football?
It nurtures football talent and preserves India’s oldest football tradition with military and civilian participation.

5. Which teams participate in the Durand Cup?
ISL, I-League, Armed Forces, and selected foreign clubs participate.

6. Who organizes the Durand Cup?
The Durand Football Tournament Society (DFTS) under the Indian Armed Forces, with AIFF support.

7. When will the Durand Cup 2026 begin?
The tournament begins on 25 July 2026 and concludes on 23 August 2026.

Disclaimer: Information in this article is based on official announcements and public records. Regulations and implementation details may evolve over time.