What is the Durand Cup 2025 prize money?

Five cities in East India will co-host the 134th edition of the Durand Cup.

The 134th edition of the Indian Oil Durand Cup will feature new teams and has found a home in multiple venues across East India. Five cities, including Kolkata (West Bengal), Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), Kokrajhar (Assam), Shillong (Meghalaya), and Imphal (Manipur), will play host to the oldest tournament in Asia.

Amidst the uncertainty in the future of the Indian Super League over the impending MRA expiration, a lot of ISL teams have decided to skip the tournament and delay their pre-season. This saw many new teams, like 1 Ladakh FC and other regional teams, making their participation count in the prestigious century-old competition.

The Durand Cup generally serves as the curtain opener of the new domestic season in Indian football. To ensure that the prestige and prominence of the tournament remain intact, the Indian Armed Forces have decided to triple the prize money pool of the Durand Cup to a massive lump sum amount of 3 crores rupees.

This announcement was made in the trophy unveiling ceremony, which took place at the City of Joy, Kolkata.

Durand cup individual winners to get brand-new SUVs

The prize money will be distributed among the winners, runners-up, teams reaching the semi-finals, and even teams making it to the quarter-finals. Three individual awards include the Golden Ball, the Golden Boot and the Golden Glove. Each of the individual winners will also get a brand new SUV.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Mohit Malhotra said,

“I am delighted to announce that this year the tournament has significantly ramped up its prize structure, from under ₹1.2 Cr in the past to over ₹3 Cr now. In addition, three brand-new SUVs for the three individual award winners will also be presented. This reflects our growing commitment to both rewarding excellence and attracting the best talent from across the nation.

Last year, Kerala Blasters’ Noah Sadaoui won the Golden Boot award, whereas the Highlanders’ great wall Gurmeet Singh won the Golden Glove Award. Jithin MS from North East United FC won the Golden Ball after his heroics helped Juan Pedro Benali’s side clinch their first-ever silverware.

Six ISL teams eye starting new season on a high note

At a time when many ISL teams have skipped the Durand Cup, six teams from the Indian top flight would be making their participation count. All three Kolkata giants, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal and Mohammedan SC are set to play their group games at Kolkata.

Jamshedpur FC will also play their group games at the Furnace. North East United FC seem determined to retain the Durand Cup trophy and will play their group games at Shillong. Shockingly, Punjab FC remains the sole ISL team to travel out of their home base to participate in the Durand Cup at Kokrajhar.

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