Kalinga Super Cup 2025: Full Match Schedule, Timings, and Key Details
Kalinga Super Cup 2025
16 Teams Set to Battle for Glory as East Bengal Defend Their Crown in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, April 9
The Kalinga Super Cup 2025 is poised to ignite football fever in Odisha, with 16 top clubs—13 from the Indian Super League (ISL) and three from the I-League—vying for the prestigious title. Kicking off on April 20 at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium, the tournament promises high-octane action in a revamped knockout format, culminating in the grand final on May 3. Defending champions East Bengal, who clinched a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over Odisha FC in 2024, open their campaign against Kerala Blasters, with a coveted spot in the 2025–26 AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2) playoffs at stake.
Tournament Overview
Unlike the group-stage format of previous editions, Super Cup 2025 adopts a straight knockout structure, ensuring every match is a do-or-die affair. The 13 ISL teams are seeded based on their 2024-25 league standings, while the three I-League qualifiers—yet to be finalized via a draw on April 9—will face top seeds Mohun Bagan Super Giant, FC Goa, and Bengaluru FC in the Round of 16. All matches will unfold at Kalinga Stadium, a fortress for Odisha FC and a vibrant hub for Indian football.
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Teams in the Fray
- ISL Clubs (13): Mohun Bagan Super Giant, FC Goa, Bengaluru FC, Odisha FC, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC, Jamshedpur FC, Kerala Blasters FC, East Bengal FC, Punjab FC, Chennaiyin FC, Mohammedan SC, Hyderabad FC
- I-League Clubs (3): To be determined via draw on April 9
- Past Winners: Bengaluru FC (2018), FC Goa (2019), Odisha FC (2023), East Bengal (2024)
- Prize: The 2025 champions earn a playoff berth in the AFC Champions League 2.
Super Cup 2025 Schedule
All timings in Indian Standard Time (IST), matches at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar
| Match No. | Fixture | Stage | Date | Start Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kerala Blasters FC vs East Bengal FC | Round of 16 | April 20 | 4:30 PM |
| 2 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs I-League Team | Round of 16 | April 20 | 8:00 PM |
| 3 | FC Goa vs I-League Team | Round of 16 | April 21 | 4:30 PM |
| 4 | Odisha FC vs Punjab FC | Round of 16 | April 21 | 8:00 PM |
| 5 | Bengaluru FC vs I-League Team | Round of 16 | April 23 | 4:30 PM |
| 6 | Mumbai City FC vs Chennaiyin FC | Round of 16 | April 23 | 8:00 PM |
| 7 | NorthEast United FC vs Mohammedan SC | Round of 16 | April 24 | 4:30 PM |
| 8 | Jamshedpur FC vs Hyderabad FC | Round of 16 | April 24 | 8:00 PM |
| QF1 | Winner Match 1 vs Winner Match 2 | Quarter-finals | April 26 | 4:30 PM |
| QF2 | Winner Match 3 vs Winner Match 4 | Quarter-finals | April 26 | 8:00 PM |
| QF3 | Winner Match 5 vs Winner Match 6 | Quarter-finals | April 27 | 4:30 PM |
| QF4 | Winner Match 7 vs Winner Match 8 | Quarter-finals | April 27 | 8:00 PM |
| SF1 | Winner QF1 vs Winner QF2 | Semi-finals | April 30 | 4:30 PM |
| SF2 | Winner QF3 vs Winner QF4 | Semi-finals | April 30 | 8:00 PM |
| Final | Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 | Final | May 3 | TBD |
Key Highlights
- Opening Clash: Defending champions East Bengal face Kerala Blasters on April 20, setting the tone for the knockout frenzy.
- I-League Draw: The three I-League teams will be matched against ISL giants Mohun Bagan, FC Goa, and Bengaluru FC after Wednesday’s draw.
- Knockout Intensity: With no group stage, every match from the Round of 16 (April 20-24) to the quarter-finals (April 26-27), semi-finals (April 30), and final (May 3) is a must-win.
- AFC Prize: The winner secures a playoff spot in the 2025–26 AFC Champions League 2, adding continental stakes to the domestic crown.
Teams to Watch
East Bengal, buoyed by their 2024 triumph, aim to repeat under pressure, with players like Messi Bouli expected to shine. Mohun Bagan Super Giant, FC Goa, and Bengaluru FC—top seeds and past champions—bring pedigree, while Odisha FC eyes redemption on home turf. Dark horses like NorthEast United FC and Mohammedan SC could spring surprises in the unforgiving knockout format.
Why It Matters
The Kalinga Super Cup 2025 not only crowns India’s domestic football champion but also offers a gateway to Asian glory. With Bhubaneswar’s passionate fans and Kalinga Stadium’s electric atmosphere, expect a festival of goals, drama, and emerging stars from April 20 to May 3. Can East Bengal defend their title, or will a new champion rise? The countdown to kickoff is on!
