Welcome To Durand Football
The Durand Football Tournament was inaugurated in 1888 at Shimla by Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, then the Foreign Secretary to British India. It is the third oldest football tournament in the world and the oldest in Asia and India. Initially conceived as a competition among regiments and departments of the British and Native Indian Armed Forces, gradually it became a symbol of camaraderie and sporting excellence. The original organizing committee featured the Political Secretary as the ex-officio President and the local military officer as Honorary Secretary, with the Viceroy and the Commander-in-Chief serving as Patron-in-Chief and Vice Patron-in-Chief, respectively.
Initially a military-exclusive event, the Durand Tournament included units such as regular army regiments, provincial frontier forces, and volunteer reserves of British India. Hosted in Dagshai, near Shimla, the tournament was suspended during World War I (1914-1919), and resumed in 1921. It continued as an All India Inter-Regiment competition until 1939 at Shimla. In 1940, the event was relocated to Delhi and for the first time civilian teams were allowed to compete. Mohammedan Sporting Club made history that year by becoming the first civilian team to win the tournament. Due to World War II, the tournament was again suspended from 1941 to 1949 and was revived in 1950.
After independence in 1947, there were demands to move the tournament to Lahore. However, due to the intervention of the Three Service Chiefs and Shri H.M. Patel, ICS, Defence Secretary, the tournament remained in India and resumed at Delhi in 1950. From then until 2013, it was held annually in Delhi. Between 2013 and 2018, the tournament was hosted in Goa and since 2019, it has been taken taking place in Kolkata and various NorthEastern states, the regions where football enjoys strong popularity. The Durand Cup remains unique as the only football tournament in India organized and managed solely by the Armed Forces to promote the sport nationwide.
The President’s Cup
Introduced by Dr. Rajendra Prasad in 1950, it is awarded permanently to the winning team. It features a circular disc atop the Ashoka Lion Capital.
The Durand Cup
The Durand Football Tournament Society declared Durand Cup as a rolling trophy in 1965, this iconic cup is held by the winner for a year and returned before the next edition.
The Simla Trophy
Donated by the citizens of Shimla in 1904, this rolling trophy reflects the strong local support and enthusiasm for the tournament.
Durand Football Tournament Society
Shri H.M. Patel, ICS, Defence Secretary, the first President of the Tournament Committee, advised that the tournament should be registered under the Societies Act, so that the tournament not be claimed by any other organization. Accordingly, on 20 Dec 1958, the Durand Tournament got registered under the Societies Registration Act as ‘Durand Football Tournament Society’. It was also stipulated in the Rules, Regulations and Bye Laws of the Society that the Durand Football Tournament Society would be headed by the three Service Chiefs.
The main aim of Durand Football Tournament Society is to promote Football in the country by conducting Durand tournament annually. The tournament is open to all club teams in the country and conducted under the aegis of All India Football Federation. Durand Tournament emerged as the most prestigious tournament in the country along with IFA Shield of Calcutta and Rovers Football Tournament of Mumbai. Amongst these tournaments, Durand Cup has maintained its original character, vision and prestige. The support of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Sports Ministry, Govt of India and the three Services has been most forthcoming.
Present Format
The tournament follows a league-cum-knockout format. After moving to Goa in 2014, the event found a new home in Kolkata from 2019 onwards. In the 133rd edition held in 2024, 24 teams participated, including international services team from Nepal. National League teams were seeded directly into the league stage, while the Services Football Champion team earned a direct spot in the quarterfinals.
Current Status
The 133rd edition of the Durand Cup was conducted from 26 July to 31 August 2024 across four cities - Kolkata, Jamshedpur, Shillong and Kokrajhar. The final match was witnessed by General Anil Chauhan, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Chief of Defence Staff, Chairman COSC, and President DFTS, along with other dignitaries. North East United FC emerged victorious, defeating Mohun Bagan SG in a thrilling penalty shootout with a score line of 2(2) - 2(3).
Envisaged Future
The Durand Football Tournament Society is embracing a transformative vision to enhance the tournament's appeal and reach. While retaining its core mission to promote football across the nation, new ideas and formats are being considered to elevate its popularity and audience engagement in the years ahead.
Participating Teams
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