Santosh Trophy 2026: Full fixtures, teams & groups
West Bengal are the defending Santosh Trophy champions.
The Santosh trophy, India’s iconic inter-state football tournament, is back with teams from across the country set to compete once again. Over the years, the competition has been a stage for raw talent and local heroes to make their mark in Indian football.
The 79th edition of the tournament will be hosted in Dhakuakhana and Silapathar in Assam, with the two venues ready to welcome some exciting football action.
Ahead of the upcoming edition of the Santosh Trophy, the tournament organisers have released the official fixtures. A total of 30 group-stage matches will be played during the group phase, with Dhakuakhana and Silapathar in Assam set to host the action as teams battle for progression to the knockout stages.
Santosh Trophy 2025-26 season opener and finals
The Santosh Trophy 2025–26 will kick off with the opening match in Dhakuakhana between Uttarakhand and Rajasthan, setting the tone for another competitive season of inter-state football.
While Group A will play the majority of their matches in Dhakuakhana, Group B will primarily feature in Silapathar, with both venues hosting crucial group-stage encounters as teams battle for progression in the tournament.
The venues for the knockouts and final are yet to be announced by AIFF.
Group A kicks off their first game on 21st January with a mouthwatering clash between Uttarakhand and Rajasthan in Dhakuakhana.
While Group B gets ready on 22 January with the first match between Punjab and Kerala in Silapathar, both powerhouses of this legendary tournament.
Santosh Trophy 2025-26 Groups and Teams
Group A
- West Bengal
- Rajasthan
- Nagaland
- Uttarakhand
- Tamil Nadu
- Assam
Group B
- Railways
- Services
- Meghalaya
- Kerala
- Odisha FT
- Punjab FT
Here’s the complete Santosh trophy 2025-26 schedule in a clean table format for all 37 matches (30 group stage + 7 Knockouts)
Santosh Trophy 2025-26 Full Fixtures
Group A
| Team 1 | Team 2 | Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uttarakhand | Rajasthan | 21 Jan | 9:00 am | Dhakuakhana |
| West Bengal | Nagaland | 21 Jan | 13:30 pm | Dhakuakhana |
| Tamil Nadu | Assam | 21 Jan | 13:30 pm | Silapathar |
| Assam | Nagaland | 23 Jan | 9:00 am | Dhakuakhana |
| West Bengal | Uttarakhand | 23 Jan | 13:30 pm | Dhakuakhana |
| Tamil Nadu | Rajasthan | 23 Jan | 13:30 pm | Silapathar |
| Nagaland | Tamil Nadu | 25 Jan | 9:00 am | Dhakuakhana |
| Rajasthan | West Bengal | 25 Jan | 13:30 pm | Dhakuakhana |
| Asaam | Uttarakhand | 25 Jan | 13:30 pm | Silapathar |
| Uttarakhand | Nagaland | 28 Jan | 9:00 am | Dhakuakhana |
| Rajasthan | Assam | 28 Jan | 13:30 pm | Dhakuakhana |
| West Bengal | Tamil Nadu | 28 Jan | 13:30 pm | Silapathar |
| Nagaland | Rajasthan | 30 Jan | TBD | TBD |
| Assam | West Bengal | 30 Jan | TBD | TBD |
| Tamil Nadu | Uttarakhand | 30 Jan | TBD | TBD |
Group B
| Team 1 | Team 2 | Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab | Kerala | 22 Jan | 9:00 am | Silapathar |
| Odisha | Meghalaya | 22 Jan | 13:30 pm | Silapathar |
| Services | Railways | 22 Jan | 13:30 pm | Dhakuakhana |
| Kerala | Railways | 24 Jan | 9:00 am | Silapathar |
| Services | Odisha | 24 Jan | 13:30 pm | Silapathar |
| Punjab | Meghalaya | 24 Jan | 13:30 pm | Dhakuakhana |
| Railways | Punjab | 26 Jan | 9:00 am | Silapathar |
| Meghalaya | Services | 26 Jan | 13:30 pm | Silapathar |
| Kerala | Odisha | 26 Jan | 13:30 pm | Dhakuakhana |
| Odisha | Railways | 29 Jan | 9:00 am | Silapathar |
| Meghalaya | Kerala | 29 Jan | 13:30 pm | Silapathar |
| Services | Punjab | 29 Jan | 13:30 pm | Dhakuakhana |
| Railways | Meghalaya | 31 Jan | TBD | TBD |
| Punjab | Odisha | 31 Jan | TBD | TBD |
| Kerala | Services | 31 Jan | TBD | TBD |
Knockouts
| Match | Team 1 | Team 2 | Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QF 1 | 1st from Group A | 4th from Group B | 2 Feb | TBD | TBD |
| QF 2 | 2nd from Group A | 3rd from Group B | 2 Feb | TBD | TBD |
| QF 3 | 1st from Group B | 4th from Group A | 3 Feb | TBD | TBD |
| QF 4 | 2nd from Group B | 3rd from Group A | 3 Feb | TBD | TBD |
| SF 1 | Winner QF 1 | Winner QF 4 | 5 Feb | TBD | TBD |
| SF 2 | Winner QF 2 | Winner QF 3 | 5 Feb | TBD | TBD |
| FINAL | Winner SF 1 | Winner SF 2 | 8 Feb | TBD | TBD |
Who are the defending champions of the Santosh Trophy?
West Bengal enter the 2025–26 season as the reigning Santosh Trophy champions.
Where will the Santosh Trophy 2025–26 be held?
The 79th edition of the tournament will be hosted in Assam, with Dhakuakhana and Silapathar serving as the group-stage venues.
When does the Santosh Trophy 2025–26 start?
The tournament kicks off on January 21, 2026, with Uttarakhand facing Rajasthan in the opening match.
Which teams are in Group A?
Group A consists of West Bengal, Rajasthan, Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, and Assam.
Which teams are in Group B?
Group B includes Railways, Services, Meghalaya, Kerala, Odisha FT, and Punjab FT.
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Ayushman Sharma is a sports enthusiast with a deep love for football, following the game closely since 2018. A hardcore supporter of NorthEast United FC and FC Barcelona, he has also gained valuable on-ground experience by volunteering during FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Guwahati.