Santosh Trophy (India) 2025/26

The Santosh Trophy stands as the premier senior men's national football championship in India. Organised by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the competition traces its origins to 1941, when it was founded by the Indian Football Association (IFA). The tournament bears the name of Sir Manmatha Nath Roy Chowdhury, the Maharaja of Santosh and former IFA president, who passed away in 1939. While the IFA originally donated the trophy, the AIFF has managed the event since assuming its role as the national governing body.

Distinct from club tournaments, this competition features teams representing state associations, union territories, and government institutions such as Services and Railways. It operates without promotion or relegation to professional leagues. The structure begins with a preliminary round where teams compete in zonal groups. Winners advance to a final round, which currently comprises twelve teams: nine group winners alongside the hosts, defending champions, and runners-up. This final stage utilises a group format followed by knockout matches.

West Bengal holds a commanding position in the tournament's history, securing 33 titles. They claimed the most recent edition, the 2024-25 season, by defeating Kerala 1-0. Other significant contenders include Punjab and Services, each having won eight titles. The competition has experienced various disruptions, including five years of cancellation due to the National Emergency and a hiatus during the 2019-20 pandemic. In 2022-23, the final was staged in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the first occasion the decisive match was played outside India.

Although the winner once qualified for Asian club competitions, this privilege no longer applies. The tournament remains a vital platform for regional pride and player development across the country.