AIFF Unveils Kalinga Super Cup 2024 Dates and Venues for Highly Anticipated Football Showdown

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The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced the upcoming Kalinga Super Cup, slated to be the fourth edition of the tournament, scheduled to take place from January 9 to January 28 in Odisha.

Odisha FC, the reigning champions, secured their victory by defeating Bengaluru FC 2-1 in the Super Cup 2023 final, claiming their first silverware.

Both Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League teams have received invitations to participate in this annual football event. The tournament format will feature four groups, each comprising four teams, engaging in single-leg matches within their respective groups.

The group winners will advance to the semi-finals, with the ultimate clash set for January 28, 2024.

Inclusive of I-League teams, a qualification process has been established for their entry into the Kalinga Super Cup group stage. Four reserved slots are designated for I-League teams in the group stage, with qualifying matches determining their inclusion.

Odisha is set to host all matches at two different venues. The stakes for the participating teams are high, as the champions of the Kalinga Super Cup will earn the opportunity to compete in the AFC 2024-25 season's ACL 2 Preliminary Stage.

AIFF President Mr Kalyan Chaubey expressed enthusiasm for the expanded scope of the annual Super Cup, now rebranded as the Kalinga Super Cup.

The decision reflects a broader perspective for the tournament, offering a positive development for Indian domestic football. Mr Chaubey anticipates widespread success, both in terms of organization and spectator interest, for the Kalinga Super Cup.

The tournament's prominence lies not only in crowning the domestic champion but also in providing a gateway for the victor to participate in the prestigious AFC competitions, enhancing the significance and appeal of the Kalinga Super Cup in the Indian football landscape.