New Delhi: Kerala Blasters will play against East Bengal FC in the opening match of the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 on April 20 as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced the schedule of the tournament on Monday.
The tournament, which will be played in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from April 20 to May 3, will see participation from 16 clubs (13 from the Indian Super League and three from the I-League), in a single-elimination knock-out format. All matches will take place at the Kalinga Stadium. The ISL teams were seeded for the round of 16 according to their final league position in the 2024-25 season. Three I-League teams confirmed their participation – Churchill Brothers FC Goa, Inter Kashi, and Gokulam Kerala FC. They will face the top three ISL teams (Mohun Bagan Super Giant, FC Goa and Bengaluru FC). These three match-ups will be decided by a draw on Wednesday.
The winners of the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 will qualify for the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Round. East Bengal FC are the defending champions, having beaten Odisha FC in the 2024 final in Bhubaneswar. Odisha FC (2023), FC Goa (2019) and Bengaluru FC (2018) have been the past champions of the Super Cup. (IANS)
Also Read: IPL 2025: KKR, LSG look for consistency after mixed starts to season
Also Watch: