Opening match of Durand Football Cup to be played in Ranchi today

By  News On Air   Jul 26, 2026

The 135th edition of the Durand Cup will, for the first time, be played in Ranchi, marking a significant milestone in Jharkhand’s sporting history. All preparations have been completed for the opening match of the tournament in Ranchi, to be played this evening at Birsa Munda Football Stadium.

The 135th edition of Asia’s oldest and most prestigious football tournament has included Ranchi as one of its host cities. The opening match in Ranchi will be played this evening at Birsa Munda Football Stadium between Indian Super League side Jamshedpur FC and Sri Lanka’s Defender FC.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren will attend the occasion as the chief guest.

With football enthusiasts showing tremendous enthusiasm, the district administration has made entry free through a zero-ticket system, while elaborate security arrangements, including CCTV surveillance and drone monitoring, have been put in place around the stadium.