Ranchi Set to Host Football Extravaganza for the First Time; Preparations for Durand Cup 2026 in Final Stages
Thrilling matches to be held at Birsa Munda Stadium from July 26 to August 16; Trophy Tour scheduled for July 18
Ranchi, July 13. The capital city, Ranchi, is fully prepared to host the Durand Cup 2026—the country's most prestigious football tournament—for the first time. The administration has accelerated preparations for this historic event, scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 16 at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium in Morabadi. A high-level review meeting was held on Monday at the FFP Building in Dhurwa, where instructions were issued to all departments to ensure timely and flawless arrangements.
Mukesh Kumar, Secretary of the Department of Tourism, Art-Culture, Sports, and Youth Affairs, gave clear directives to officials ensuring there would be no lapses regarding security, fire safety, stadium branding, accommodation for players and guests, invitation distribution, or spectator amenities. Instructions were also issued for the deputation of magistrates and the deployment of adequate police forces to maintain law and order during the matches.
The Ranchi Municipal Corporation has been entrusted with conducting a special cleanliness drive in and around the stadium, while the police and administration are responsible for ensuring robust traffic and security arrangements. Various agencies—including the Health, Electricity, Sports Authority, Tourism, Culture, and Information & Public Relations departments—are working in coordination to finalize preparations.
To generate excitement among city residents regarding the tournament, the Indian Army will organize the Durand Cup Trophy Tour on July 18. During the tour, the prestigious trophy will be taken through major routes in Ranchi, aiming to connect the general public with this historic competition. Senior officials from various departments and the district administration attended the meeting, including Ranchi Municipal Corporation Municipal Commissioner Sushant Gaurav, Sports Director Chhavi Ranjan, Army Nodal Officer Colonel Hem Chandra, Major Anand, Energy Department Executive Engineer Jaykant Kumar, Civil Surgeon Dr. Prabhat Kumar, City Superintendent of Police Rakesh Singh, and the Executive Engineer of the Jharkhand Sports Authority.
