Manipur has declared a half holiday on July 28 as the Durand Cup 2026 reaches Imphal. TRAU FC face NEROCA FC in the opening Group F match at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium.
Imphal, July 27: With football enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the return of the Durand Cup to Manipur, the state government has declared a half holiday on Tuesday, July 28, to enable people to witness the opening match of the Imphal leg of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium.
An order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) on Sunday stated that, by the orders of the Governor of Manipur, all government offices and educational institutions, including Public Sector Undertakings, Corporations and Autonomous Bodies under the State Government, will remain closed for the afternoon session on July 28. The decision has been taken to facilitate public attendance at the inaugural match of the 135th Edition of the Durand Cup 2026 at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal.
The Imphal leg of Asia's oldest football tournament will begin with a high-voltage local derby between TRAU FC and NEROCA FC at 5 pm, rekindling one of Indian football's most passionate rivalries.
Football celebrations mark tournament build-up
The return of the prestigious tournament has been preceded by a series of promotional events across Manipur over the past week. The iconic Durand Cup trophies—the original silverware, the rolling Shimla Trophy and the President's Cup—arrived in Imphal as part of the nationwide Trophy Tour organised ahead of the competition.
The trophies were showcased at prominent locations in the capital, drawing football fans, former players and young aspirants. Officials of the Indian Army, the Eastern Command, the Government of Manipur and the organising committee participated in ceremonial events celebrating the state's rich football tradition.
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As part of the build-up, the Indian Army and local organisers also conducted outreach programmes and fan engagement activities to generate excitement ahead of the tournament. Khuman Lampak Main Stadium has undergone final preparations to host six Group F matches, with officials completing arrangements for teams, spectators and security.
The decision to declare a half holiday reflects football's enduring popularity in Manipur, a state that has consistently produced some of India's finest footballers and has remained one of the strongest centres of the sport in the country.
Imphal to host Group F matches
Khuman Lampak Main Stadium will host all six matches in Group F, featuring two Manipur clubs—TRAU FC and NEROCA FC—alongside Indian Navy Football Team and Real Kashmir FC.
The Group F fixtures are:
July 28: TRAU FC vs NEROCA FC
July 31: Indian Navy FT vs Real Kashmir FC
August 3: TRAU FC vs Real Kashmir FC
August 6: NEROCA FC vs Indian Navy FT
August 9: NEROCA FC vs Real Kashmir FC
August 12: TRAU FC vs Indian Navy FT
The group winners, along with the best-performing teams from across the tournament, will progress to the knockout stage.
India's oldest football tournament
The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup, being held from July 25 to August 23, features 24 teams divided into six groups. The competition includes Indian Super League clubs, I-League teams, Services sides and invited participants.
Among the leading teams in this year's tournament are defending champions NorthEast United FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC, Mohammedan Sporting, Jamshedpur FC, Punjab FC, Shillong Lajong FC, Diamond Harbour FC, Namdhari FC, Real Kashmir FC, TRAU FC and NEROCA FC.
The tournament is being played across Kolkata, Imphal, Shillong, Kokrajhar, Jamshedpur and Ranchi, with Ranchi hosting Durand Cup matches for the first time. The final is scheduled for August 23.
Football returns to centre stage
For Manipur, hosting the Durand Cup is more than a sporting event. The state has long been recognised as one of India's football powerhouses, producing numerous national and international players. The opening Imphal Derby is expected to attract thousands of supporters, with the government encouraging public participation through the declaration of the afternoon holiday.
The clash between TRAU FC and NEROCA FC is expected to set the tone for another exciting edition of the historic tournament, as Imphal once again takes its place among the principal host cities of the country's premier football competition.
