Durand Cup 2024 begins on July 27 - know schedule and watch live in India

Domestic football is expected to return to India with the 133rd edition of the Durand Cup, 2024, which will include 24 clubs competing for the title beginning on July 27, 2024.

The Durand Cup debuted in 1888 and is the world's third-oldest football tournament.

The curtain raiser for the Indian domestic football season, the Durand Cup, is the only tournament in India that features teams from the Indian Super League, the I-League, and the Armed Forces.

The 2024 edition of Asia's oldest club football tournament is set to commence with Mohun Bagan Super Giant taking on Downtown Heroes at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on July 27 at 6 PM (IST).

A total of 24 teams will compete in six groups of four, playing 43 matches in a round-robin league format followed by the knockout stages. 

The matches will occur across four cities in Kolkata, Kokrajhar, Shillong, and Jamshedpur.

The group stage will wrap up on August 18 with a highly anticipated rematch of last season's final as defending champions Mohun Bagan SG take on East Bengal FC. The dates for the knockout stage are yet to be revealed.

Durand Cup 2024 teams and groups

Group A:  Downtown Heroes, East Bengal FC, Indian Air Force, Mohun Bagan SG

Group B: Bengaluru FC, Indian Navy, Inter Kashi, Mohammedan SC

Group C: CISF Protectors, Kerala Blasters FC, Mumbai City FC, Punjab FC

Group D: Bangladesh Army, Chennaiyin FC, Indian Army, Jamshedpur FC

Group E: Bodoland, BSF, NorthEast United, Odisha FC

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

The top teams from each group will automatically qualify for the quarter-finals of the tournament, while the two best second-placed teams across the six groups will join the group toppers in the quarters.

Like last year, this year’s Durand Cup will also witness the participation of foreign teams, with the Army teams of Nepal and Bangladesh also taking part in the 133rd edition of the tournament.

The Salt Lake Stadium or Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kishore Bharati Krirangan, JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and the SAI Stadium are the five venues that will be hosting the Durand Cup this season

Some of the local derbies to look forward to in Durand Cup 2024 include the Kolkata derby as well as the clash between NorthEast United FC and Shillong Lajong.

Kolkata heavyweight Mohun Bagan SG is the most successful team in Durand Cup history, having claimed 17 titles.

Where to watch Durand Cup 2024 live in India

Live streaming of Durand Cup 2024 will be available on the SonyLiv app and website in India. 

Live telecast of Durand Cup 2024 will be available on the Sony Sports Ten 2 and Sony Sports Ten 2 HD TV channels in India.

Durand Cup 2024 schedule and match start times 

All timings are as per Indian Standard Time (IST)

Photo credit: Imago