Durand Cup is a prestigious football tournament conducted in the country. It was instituted in 1888 at Shimla by Sir Henry Mortimer Durand. It is the oldest tournament in Asia and third oldest in the world after Football Association Cup of England and Scotland Football Association Cup. The Defence Services have been associated in organising Durand Football Tournament right from its inception. Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chief of Air Staff & Chairman Chief of Staff committee is the President of the Durand Football Tournament Society.
128th Edition of Durand Football Tournament is scheduled from 28 Aug to 11 Sep 2016. Eight teams from Indian League of All India Football Federation and four Services teams will participate in the current edition. A total of 33 matches will be played at Ambedkar Stadium and Harbaksh Stadium. The tournament will be conducted in league format. This edition will see a splendid mix of football talent from all over the country. The Opening Ceremony and Inaugural match is scheduled from 1700 hrs on 28 Aug.
Cash prizes of Rs 45 lakh and Rs 20 lakh is instituted for the winners and runners up teams respectively and the teams reaching the semi-finals will also receive a cash prize of Rs Five lakh each.
The Durand Football Tournament Society has endeavoured to promote football and take it to the masses and seeks the strength and support of the public to make this tournament a greater success.