Last season, the Durand Cup was broadcasted by Sports18.

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has acquired the unique media rights to broadcast the Durand Cup in India between 2023 and 2024. As a part of the deal, over the following two years, the broadcaster will televise the legendary soccer event, presently in its 132nd superb Edition, on its sports activities channels in India in addition to throughout the subcontinent: Afghanistan, Maldives, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.

The 132nd version of the Durand Cup will kickstart on third August 2023 and can witness a complete of 43 high-octane matches between 24 teams, up from 20 last year. The finals are scheduled for third September 2023. Audiences can watch the event LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 2 channels and the matches can even be accessible for livestreaming, completely on SPN’s premium OTT platform, SonyLIV. 

First performed in 1888, the Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest soccer event and the third oldest within the World. Started by Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, the then Foreign Secretary to the Government of India, the Durand Cup is the one event in India that pits all Indian Super League (Indian prime division) groups towards prime I-League (second division) and different division groups, in addition to groups from the Armed Forces, towards one another.

The iconic event is carried out by the Durand Football Tournament Society (DFTS), whose President is the Chief of Defence Staff, with the Service Chiefs of the Army, Airforce, and Navy, being its Vice-Presidents. Organized by the Indian Army, on behalf of the three Services, the event is presently being carried out by Eastern Command. It can be distinctive within the sense that it rewards the winners with three glittering trophies, the Durand Cup (a rolling trophy and the unique prize), the Shimla Trophy (additionally a rolling trophy and given by the residents of Shimla in 1904) and the President’s Cup (for everlasting retention and offered by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President, in 1956).

The 24 groups of the 132nd Edition have been divided into six teams of 4 groups every. Three of those teams will play their matches in Kolkata, whereas Guwahati and Kokrajhar in Assam, will host two and one group respectively. Guwahati and Kokrajhar can even host one quarterfinal every, whereas the remainder of the knockout video games will probably be performed in Kolkata. This yr’s event can even see the participation of overseas groups after a niche of 27 years, with the Army groups of Nepal and Bangladesh additionally confirmed their participation.

Football followers are set for a deal with, significantly given the numerous well-liked derbies lined up on the roster. Prominent amongst them would be the Kolkata derby, one of many largest footballing derbies on this planet, between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal. Others embrace the Kerala derby between ISL aspect Kerala Blasters and 2019 champions Gokulam Kerala and the 2 southern derbies between Hyderabad FC and Chennaiyin FC and champions Bengaluru FC and Gokulam Kerala. The North-East derby can even characteristic a conflict between NorthEast United FC and Shillong Lajong.

The earlier 131st version, witnessed Indian legend Sunil Chhetri raise his first ever Durand Cup, a event the place he was initially noticed, when his Bengaluru FC defeated Mumbai City FC 2-1 in a high-octane remaining at Kolkata’s hallowed Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK), the venue of this yr’s remaining as nicely.

Watch the LIVE protection of Durand Cup 2023 on Sony Sports Ten 2 channels in addition to livestream on SonyLIV beginning third August 2023 from 6.00 pm IST.

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