When is Kolkata Derby in Durand Cup 2026?
East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have been drawn in Group A of Durand Cup 2026
Two of the greatest football clubs in India have been drawn in the same group for the 135th edition of the Durand Cup. East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan SG, who are each other’s arch-rivals, are set to battle it all out against each other in the first clash of the Durand Cup 2026.
Durand Cup is the most prestigious cup competition in Indian football, with a legacy of many decades. The Durand 2026 is set to begin on 25th July with a new legacy in making.
East Bengal will lock horns with Mohun Bagan in their first game of the Durand Cup, as they are in the same group with South United and CISF.
Durand Cup will witness the Kolkata Derby on 25th July
The two footballing giants of Indian football are set to battle it all out against each other as the prestigious competition is on the line. Mohun Bagan SG, who have won the most number of Durand Cup titles in history, will look for another one ahead of the Red and Gold Brigade, who have just won the Indian Super League (ISL) last season.
On 25th July from 17:00 IST at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata, the Kolkata Derby is set to open the Durand Cup 2026. As the ISL defending champions are set to face the record winning Durand Cup champions.
With years of history, passion and fight, the Kolkata derby rarely fails to deliver entertainment, regardless of the competition they are playing in.
Both teams will also be looking to begin their campaign on a positive note under their respective head coaches, using the prestigious tournament to build momentum ahead of the ISL 2026-27 season. The opener is expected to draw a huge number of crowd, setting the tone for another exciting edition of Asia’s oldest football tournament.
Alongside East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan SG in Group A, there are also two teams. CISF Protectors and South United FC also have the potential to prove themselves in this biggest stage of football. But apart from that, both of the Kolkata sides are the favourites to win this year’s Durand Cup.
The fixture has historically been an evenly poised contest, with both sides enjoying similar success in their previous Durand Cup meetings, while one encounter ended in a draw.
However, the tide appears to be turning for the Red and Gold Brigade. They came close to defeating Mohun Bagan in the 2025–26 ISL season, with Edmund Lalrindika giving them the lead before Jason Cummings restored parity.
With both sides now adapting to new systems under their respective head coaches, the Durand Cup will serve as an ideal platform to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the upcoming ISL campaign.
When will the Kolkata Derby between East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan SG take place in the Durand Cup 2026?
The Kolkata Derby is scheduled for 25 July 2026 at 17:00 IST at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. It will also be the opening match of the 135th edition of the Durand Cup.
How many times have East Bengal and Mohun Bagan faced each other in the Durand Cup?
The two clubs have met 13 times in the history of the Durand Cup. Both teams have won six matches each, while one match ended in a draw.
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Rohit Mistri is a sports journalist from Kolkata with over two years of experience in the field. He has extensively covered Indian football, including major tournaments such as the Calcutta Football League and the Indian Super League. His work spans on-ground reporting, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling, along with interviews of prominent sporting personalities. Rohit brings strong communication skills and a deep passion for sports narratives to everything he writes.