NFC for Santosh Trophy 2024: All you need to know about history, format, winners, schedule and host of 77th edition

The National Football Championship (NFC) for Santosh Trophy, established in 1941, stands as a cornerstone in the history of Indian football. Unlike other tournaments focused on clubs, this national championship is exclusively for states, Union Territories, and key institutions like services and railways to showcase their football prowess.

Advertisment

Originating from the need for a state-level national football championship, the Santosh Trophy was formalized by the Indian Football Association (IFA) and later entrusted to the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

Format of NFC for Santosh Trophy:

The tournament's unique structure involves a qualifying round, where states and institutions battle it out across the country. The victorious teams from each of the five zones (North, South, East, West, and North East) progress to the final round. The final round is hosted in a central venue rotated among the zones. The two qualifying teams from the host zone contend for the privilege of hosting the finals.

Advertisment

The competition unfolds in a group format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals. The ultimate showdown between the winners culminates in the awarding of the Santosh Trophy to the champions.

What are other trophies associated with the NFC for Santosh Trophy?

Notable additions to the Santosh Trophy legacy are the Kamla Gupta Trophy and the Sampangi Cup. As the winners get the Santosh Trophy, the Kamla Gupta Trophy is given to the runner-up. While the third-placed team gets the Sampangi Cup.

Advertisment

Which is the most successful team in the NFC for Santosh Trophy?

The tournament's inaugural winners, West Bengal, have dominated the Santosh Trophy. They have claimed the title 32 times, securing a record of six consecutive wins from 1993 to 1999. Other football powerhouses include Punjab, with eight titles, and Kerala, with seven.

Adding an institutional twist, the Services, comprising players from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, made history in 1960–61 by becoming the first institutional team to clinch the Santosh Trophy. Their success story includes a total of six titles, setting a benchmark for institutional excellence. The Railways, with three titles, also stand out in the institutional arena.

Which teams have qualified for final round of NFC for Santosh Trophy 2024?

In the 77th edition of the tournament, a total of 12 teams qualified for the finals. All 12 teams have been divided into two groups based on the results of the qualifying round. The final round is being organised in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, on February 21. The finals will be played on March 9.

Groups A: Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Goa, Assam, Services, Kerala

Group B: Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, Manipur, Mizoram, and Railways

Schedule of NFC for Santosh Trophy 2024: