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Durand Cup Prize Pool Triples as ISL Clubs Drop to Six

Featuring venues in five states, the tournament introduces Imphal under heightened security to host group matches.

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The 134th IndianOil Durand Cup

Overview

  • Organisers have increased the total prize pool to ₹3 crore and will award three SUVs to the best goalkeeper, Golden Boot and Golden Ball winners.
  • Only six Indian Super League teams—down from 12 last season—will compete after a deadlock between FSDL and the AIFF put the ISL’s 2025–26 season on hold.
  • For the first time, matches will be held across Assam, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, West Bengal and Manipur with robust security measures in Imphal’s Khuman Lampak stadium.
  • Two foreign military sides—Tribhuwan Army FC of Nepal and Malaysia’s Armed Forces team—will join the eight civilian clubs in this year’s lineup.
  • The group stage kicks off on July 23, leading to quarterfinals on August 16–17, semifinals on August 19–20 and a final on August 23, with the champions to receive the President’s Cup at Rashtrapati Bhavan.