The report says teams will represent states, Union Territories and educational institutions, with Sri Lanka also due to be part of the field. That mix has long been central to the Subroto Cup’s identity.
That breadth is important in a country where elite youth pathways can still be uneven. A long-format schools tournament gives players repeated match exposure rather than one-off scouting moments.
The tournament calendar is expected to be divided into three blocks:
The update says matches in Delhi-NCR will be played at Ambedkar Stadium, Tejas Football Ground, Subroto Park Football Ground, Pinto Park Football Ground and Rajokri Football Ground. In Bengaluru, games are reportedly scheduled for Air Force School Jalahalli, Air Force School Yelahanka and Subroto Football Ground Jalahalli. An age-verification test is also expected in the U15 section, a practical step for competitive balance.
The report says the title holders are already defined:
Those schools will arrive with pressure as well as pedigree. The next storyline is simple: whether the established names can hold their ground once the tournament opens in Delhi-NCR, or whether a new regional challenger uses the Subroto Cup stage to break through.