The organizers announced on Monday that the tournament will be played in three cities – namely Kolkata, Guwahati and Kokrajhar as 24 teams are set to participate in the championship.
The teams have been clubbed into six groups of four teams each, with three (A, B and C) of them being played in Kolkata which will be the only host city with multiple venues.
The city will also host the final at the hallowed Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) on September 03, 2023.
While most of the Group D and Group E games, barring two, have been slotted in Guwahati’s Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium. Kokrajhar’s SAI center ground is the newest host city venue and it will host a total of nine games, including one of the four quarter-final games.
Durand Cup Format
Six group winners and the two best second-placed sides will make the knockout stage. In the 131st edition, Indian talisman Sunil Chhetri led Bengaluru FC, won their maiden Durand Cup crown, defeating Mumbai City FC 2-1 in the final, played at the VYBK.
Durand Cup 2023 Groups and Teams
Indian Super League (ISL) champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant and arch-rivals East Bengal both find themselves in Group A. Roundglass Punjab FC, the first-ever side to be promoted to the ISL and the Bangladesh Army Team are the other two sides in the group.
The other local giant Mohammedan Sporting, are in Group B, alongside ISL sides Mumbai City FC and Jamshedpur FC. The Indian Navy is the fourth team in Group B.
2022 Durand Cup Champions Bengaluru FC are slotted in Group C along with Gokulam Kerala and Kerala Blasters. Indian Air Force are the fourth team in this group.
Guwahati local ISL side North East United FC also play at home in Group D alongside twice ISL runners-up FC Goa, while another popular side from the North-East, Shillong Lajong FC, making their Durand Cup debut and a surprise entry team complete the group.
Group E also features two ISL sides with Hyderabad FC and Chennaiyin FC grouped with Delhi FC, who have been newly promoted to the second division I-League this year and the service team of Nepal, Tribhuvan Army Football Club.
Group F, to be played in Kokrajhar, features the local Bodoland Team, also making a debut in the tournament this year, rubbing shoulders against the likes of Super Cup champions Odisha FC and I-League side Rajasthan United FC. The Indian Army team completes Group F.
Durand Cup 2023 Groups and Venues
| Groups | Teams | Host City |
| Group A | Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC, Roundglass Punjab, Bangladesh Army Team | Kolkata |
| Group B | Mohammedan Sporting, Mumbai City FC, Jamshedpur FC, Indian Navy | Kolkata |
| Group C | Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters, Gokulam Kerala, Indian Air Force | Kolkata |
| Group D | NorthEast United, FC Goa, Shillong Lajong, TBA | Guwahati |
| Group E | Delhi FC, Hyderabad FC, Chennaiyin FC, Tribhuvan Army FC | Guwahati |
| Group F | Bodoland Team, Odisha FC, Rajasthan United, Indian Army | Kokrajhar |
The 132nd Durand Cup also sees a return of foreign participation after a gap of 27 years and while the Bangladesh Service team has been placed in Group A, the second foreign team is from Nepal and is slotted in Group E.
A total of 43 matches including the final are scheduled with two of the four quarter-finals taking place in Guwahati and Kokrajhar, while the rest of the knockouts happen in Kolkata.
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