Overview

• President Murmu unveiled and flagged off the Durand Cup, President’s Cup, and Shimla Trophy at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre on July 4.
• The three trophies will tour venues in West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Jharkhand as the prelude to the tournament.
• Twenty-four teams will be divided into six groups and will compete at six venues spanning five states from July 15 to August 23 under the Eastern Command’s stewardship.
• NorthEast United FC returns as defending champions after securing their maiden title last year.
• Officials will reveal group compositions and full match schedules later this week ahead of the tournament’s kickoff.