The Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata is braced for another intense chapter in one of football's most storied rivalries as
East Bengal enter the match with a clear objective: to reclaim the title and avenge their heartbreak from the previous year. Having secured a record 29 IFA Shield titles, the club is aiming to reach the historic 30-title milestone. Their motivation is further bolstered by their dominant 4-1 victory over their arch-rivals in the Durand Cup final less than two months ago, a result that stands as one of their most significant derby performances in recent memory.
A Rivalry Defined by Fine Margins
Mohun Bagan, meanwhile, arrive at the final with momentum of their own. Having recently ended an eight-year drought to claim the Calcutta Football League title, the Mariners are determined to defend the IFA Shield they secured last year. In the 2025 final, the two sides played out a 1-1 draw before Mohun Bagan ultimately prevailed 5-4 in a tense penalty shootout to claim their 21st title. They now look to extend that tally to 22.
The head-to-head record between the two teams in 2025 highlights just how evenly matched they have been. Their first encounter in the Indian Super League in May finished in a 1-1 stalemate, followed by a narrow 1-0 win for Mohun Bagan during the Durand Cup opener in July. Following East Bengal's emphatic 4-1 response in the Durand Cup final, their most recent outing in the Calcutta Football League in September also ended in a 1-1 draw.
Match Details and Viewing Information
The final is scheduled to kick off at 6:15 pm IST on Thursday, October 8, at the Salt Lake Stadium. Fans looking to follow the action will not find the match on traditional television networks, as there is no broadcast coverage for this fixture. Instead, the match will be available exclusively via live stream on the FanCode website and mobile application.
