ISL’s Mohun Bagan Vs East Bengal Derby To Be Played Guwahati

GUWAHATI: The highly anticipated Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal in the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) has been relocated to the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati to be played on January 11. Initially scheduled on the same date at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, the match was moved due to insufficient security arrangements.

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This marks the second time this season that a Mohun Bagan-East Bengal clash could not take place at the Salt Lake Stadium due to police constraints. The decision to relocate followed a statement from the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate, which cited logistical challenges related to security deployment.

The match coincides with the Gangasagar Mela, running from January 10 to 18, a significant event requiring extensive police presence. Officials estimated that between 1,100 and 1,400 police personnel would be needed to manage the derby at Salt Lake Stadium, a deployment deemed unfeasible during the festival.
Discussions to reschedule the match were held, but Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the ISL’s governing body, decided to retain the original date. Mohun Bagan explored alternative venues, including Jamshedpur, Delhi, and Guwahati. 

Ultimately, Guwahati was chosen, as the ISL television crew was already scheduled to be there for Northeast United’s match against Punjab FC on January 10.

Uncertainty over the venue had been brewing since December when Mohun Bagan played their last home game of 2024 against Kerala Blasters. Speculation arose that the derby could either be postponed or moved.

The ISL’s league phase is set to conclude by March 12, ensuring sufficient preparation time for the Indian national team ahead of their Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh on March 25.
Mohun Bagan, the ISL league toppers and shield winners, are entering the derby with confidence after a 2-0 victory over East Bengal in the first leg of the Kolkata Derby in October. East Bengal, currently 11th in the standings, will look to reverse their fortunes in the season’s second derby clash.