SHILLONG, July 3: Shillong Lajong FC will take on Meghalaya Premier League champions Nongkseh SS&CC in the opening Group E fixture of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on July 31, setting the stage for an exciting all-Meghalaya clash to kick off the Shillong leg of Asia’s oldest football tournament.
The fixtures for the 2026 edition of the Durand Cup were announced on Friday by the Durand Cup Organising Committee. The tournament will be held from July 25 to August 23 across five host cities — Kolkata, Shillong, Guwahati, Imphal and Ranchi.
Shillong will once again play a key role in the competition by hosting all Group E matches besides one quarter-final and the second semi-final.
Group E has a distinctly Meghalaya flavour, with three local clubs — Shillong Lajong FC, Langsning FC and Nongkseh SS&CC — competing on home soil. They will be joined by Durand Cup debutants Mumbay FC from Maharashtra.
The Shillong leg will begin on July 31 when Lajong lock horns with Nongkseh in what promises to be an intriguing contest between one of the state’s most successful clubs and the reigning Meghalaya Premier League champions.
The group stage in Shillong will conclude on August 13 with the much-anticipated Shillong derby between traditional rivals Shillong Lajong FC and Langsning FC.
The 135th edition of the prestigious tournament will feature 24 teams divided into six groups, bringing together Indian Super League clubs, I-League teams, Services outfits, emerging clubs and an overseas side.
The competition will commence on July 25 with one of Indian football’s biggest rivalries as defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant face arch-rivals East Bengal FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
Defending champions NorthEast United FC will begin their title defence in Group F at Guwahati on August 1 against Bodoland FC as they chase a third consecutive Durand Cup crown.
Following the completion of the league stage, the six group winners and the two best second-placed teams will qualify for the knockout phase.
Shillong has also been awarded one of the quarter-finals, scheduled for August 17, while the city will host the second semi-final at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on August 20.
The tournament final will be played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on August 23.
The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network, with live streaming available on the SonyLIV platform.
