Durand Cup 2025 to go ahead as planned; Seven new teams set to participate

The tournament will kick off on July 23rd.

Amid growing concerns about the 2025–26 Indian Super League (ISL) season, the Durand Cup 2025 will move forward as scheduled. Organised by the Indian Army, Asia’s oldest football tournament will welcome eight new teams, filling the void left by ISL clubs unable to participate due to ongoing uncertainty over the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between AIFF and FSDL.

As reported by Khel Now last month, seven ISL clubs formally informed the organisers that they would be unable to commit to the tournament due to delayed pre-season plans and uncertainty surrounding the ISL calendar.

Indian Army steps up to sustain tournament legacy

In response, the Indian Army has opened the door to younger clubs and new entrants, ensuring the 134th edition of the tournament remains a competitive and meaningful tournament.

“The Durand Cup legacy is 137 years old, and the Indian Army have always worked to provide a high-quality platform for Indian clubs—with prize money, live broadcasts, and a proper cup format, unlike the Super Cup,” said a source close to the situation.

To further raise the tournament’s appeal, the organisers are also planning to increase the prize pool.

2024 prize pool and format

In 2024, the total prize pool stood at ₹1 crore, with:

• Champions receiving ₹60 lakh
• Runners-up earning ₹30 lakh
• Individual awards make up the remaining ₹10 lakh

The revised structure for 2025 is expected to offer significantly more, making it more attractive to participating clubs.

Which ISL clubs are out—and who’s in?

The following ISL clubs have withdrawn from the 2025 edition:

• FC Goa
• Bengaluru FC
• Chennaiyin FC
• Odisha FC
• Kerala Blasters
• Mumbai City
• Hyderabad FC / FC Delhi

However, several ISL sides have confirmed participation:

• East Bengal
• Jamshedpur FC
• NorthEast United
• Mohammedan SC
• Punjab FC
• Mohun Bagan

To maintain the tournament’s format, the organisers have extended invitations to new clubs and institutional teams, including forces teams from neighbouring regions.

New teams in Durand Cup 2025

The new entrants include:

• 1 Ladakh FC – The first club from the Ladakh region to participate in the Durand Cup
• Real Kashmir FC
• Namdhari SC
• ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police)
• South United FC
• Diamond Harbour
• Indonesia Army (Foreign Team 1)
• Neroca FC
• Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC
• Rangdajied United FC

Remaining teams in Durand Cup 2025

• Shillong Lajong
• Bodoland FC
• Indian Army
• Indian Navy
• Indian Air Force
• TRAU FC
• BSF (Border Security Force) FT

Grand launch on July 4

The Durand Cup trophies were unveiled and flagged off on 4th July in a grand ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, led by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu. The official list of teams and tournament groups is expected to be announced later this week.

This is a developing story; stay tuned for the updates.

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