Calcutta: The Durand Cup is likely to start on August 3 across six venues — three in Bengal, Guwahati, Kokrajhar and Shillong — and the final will be at the Salt Lake Stadium on September 3.

While Salt Lake Stadium and Kishore Bharati Stadium have been locked as the two grounds in Calcutta, the organisers are mulling over the third.

It could be either Naihati Stadium or Mohun Bagan ground.

Kokrajhar, a Bodoland territorial region in Assam, and Shillong are two of the newest venues for the Durand Cup. Shillong’s home team Lajong FC are also set for their Durand debut.

Last year Imphal was one of the venues. Imphal also played host to a three-nation tournament in March this year. But the scenario has changed from the first week of May.

Asia’s oldest football tournament is being treated as a prelude to the ISL.

The ISL is likely to start in the latter part of September since there will be a break for the Asian Cup in January-February next year. Durand also had to bring forward the schedule by two weeks.

Twenty-four teams, divided into six groups, will be seen in action. The six group toppers and two best second-placed teams will move into the last-eight stage.

Most of the ISL teams, including Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Emami East Bengal and Bengaluru FC, have confirmed their participation.

Bengaluru FC had fielded a strong team last year, which included Sunil Chhetri, and were aptly rewarded when they defeated Mumbai City FC 2-1 in the final.