Durand Cup 2024 Groups and Fixtures: East Bengal drawn in Group A, Mohun Bagan to face Downtown Heroes in opener

The Kolkata Derby in Durand Cup is scheduled for August 18.

The draw for the 133rd Indian Oil Durand Cup 2024 has been revealed, promising an exciting lineup of fixtures. The tournament kicks off on July 27, 2024, featuring 24 teams from the Indian Super League (ISL), I-League, Armed Forces, and international squads.

In a notable development, defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant and their arch-rivals East Bengal FC have been drawn into the same group. This reunion of last year’s finalists is set to add a high-stakes edge to the group stage, with both teams vying for supremacy once again.

The tournament will be hosted across four cities: Kolkata, Jamshedpur, Shillong, and Kokrajhar. Kolkata, as the primary venue, will host three groups, while Jamshedpur, Shillong, and Kokrajhar will each oversee one group. 

International representation will be robust with Nepal’s Tribhuvan Army FC and Bangladesh Army Football Team returning from the previous edition. Their participation continues the tradition of including international teams in Asia’s oldest football tournament.

The Durand Cup 2024 will follow a round-robin format during the group stage, with each team playing every other team in their group. The top teams from each group, along with the two best second-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stages. The final match will take place at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, wrapping up the tournament after a total of 43 matches.

With the draw setting the stage for intense competition, let’s take a look at the Group Stage in a summarised way:Group A (Kolkata): Mohun Bagan SG, East Bengal FC, Indian Air Force FT, Downtown Heroes FC

Group B (Kolkata): Bengaluru FC, Inter Kashi FC, Indian Navy FT, Mohammedan SC

Group C (Kolkata): Kerala Blasters FC, Mumbai City FC, Punjab FC, CISF Protectors FT

Group D (Jamshedpur): Jamshedpur FC, Chennaiyin FC, Indian Army FT, Bangladesh Army FT

Group E (Kokrajhar): Odisha FC, NorthEast United FC, Bodoland FC, BSF FT

Group F (Shillong): FC Goa, Hyderabad FC, Shillong Lajong FC, Tribhuvan Army FC

Let’s take a look at the best fixtures in this edition:

JULY 28, 2024 | MOHAMMEDAN SC VS INTER KASHI FC | 07:00 PM | Kishore Bharati Krirangan

AUGUST 1, 2024 | MUMBAI CITY FC VS KERALA BLASTERS FC | 07:00 PM | Kishore Bharati Krirangan

AUGUST 16, 2024 | NORTHEAST UNITED  FC VS ODISHA FC | 07:00 PM | Sai Stadium

AUGUST 18, 2024 | MOHUN BAGAN SUPER GIANT VS EAST BENGAL FC | 07:00 PM | Salt Lake Stadium

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