The Federation Cup was an annual knockout football competition and the premier cup competition in men's domestic Indian football until 2017.[1] Established in 1977, it was organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The Federation Cup was eventually replaced by the Super Cup from the 2018 season.
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| Organising body | All India Football Federation |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1977 |
| Abolished | 2017 |
| Region | India |
| Qualifier for | AFC Cup |
| Last champions | Bengaluru (2nd title) |
| Most successful club(s) | Mohun Bagan (14 titles) |
| Motto | Where Pride Meets Passion |
Bengaluru were the last champions, having defeated Mohun Bagan 2–0 in the 2017 final.[2]
History
In 1977, the All India Football Federation started the Federation Cup as the first club based national tournament in the country. Inaugural champion of the competition was the ITI (Indian Telephone Industries) who defeated Mohun Bagan in the final.[3] In 2015 the All India Football Federation announced that the Federation Cup will be put on hold to avoid scheduling conflict with the Indian Super League and the I-League.[4] After the Asian Football Confederation mandated that a club must play at least 18 matches in the season, the AIFF decided to revive the tournament under new format.[5] On 19 February 2018, the AIFF fully abolished the competition and formed the Super Cup as a replacement. In July 2023 AIFF has decided again to revive the competition in 2023-24 season as the premier cup competition in the country but later it moved to 2024-25 season.[6]
Venues
Matches during the Federation Cup were usually held at neutral venues around India. The final was also held in a neutral venue. From 2015 matches were played as two legged (home and away) knockout format.
Results
Federation Cup finals
- a.e.t.: After extra time
- pen.: Score in penalty shootout
Finalists
| Club | Final Appearances | Winner | Winning Years | Runners-up | Runners-up Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohun Bagan | 20 | 14 | 1978*, 1980*, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1987 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998 2001, 2006, 2008, 2015–16 | 6 | 1977, 1983, 1985, 2004, 2010, 2016–17 |
| East Bengal | 16 | 8 | 1978*,1980*,1985, 1996, 2007, 2009-10, 2010, 2012 | 8 | 1984,1986,1992, 1995, 1996–97,1997,1998, 2011 |
| Salgaocar | 7 | 4 | 1988,1989,1997, 2011 | 3 | 1987,1990,1994 |
| Dempo | 6 | 1 | 2004 | 5 | 1996#,2001,2008, 2012, 2014–15 |
| Mohammedan | 5 | 2 | 1983,1984 | 3 | 1981,1989,2003 |
| Mahindra United | 5 | 2 | 2003,2005 | 3 | 1991,1993,2007 |
| Sporting Goa | 3 | 0 | - | 3 | 2005,2006,2013–14 |
| Bengaluru | 2 | 2 | 2014–15, 2016–17 | 0 | - |
| JCT Mills | 2 | 2 | 1995,1995-96# | 0 | - |
| Kerala Police | 2 | 2 | 1990, 1991[7] | 0 | - |
| Border Security Force | 2 | 1 | 1979 | 1 | 1988 |
| Indian Telephone Industries | 1 | 1 | 1977 | 0 | - |
| Churchill Brothers | 1 | 1 | 2013–14 | 0 | - |
| Shillong Lajong | 1 | 0 | - | 1 | 2009 |
| Aizawl | 1 | 0 | - | 1 | 2015–16 |
- * : Shared
- # : There were two federation cups in 1996
Overall top goalscorers
- As of 10 January 2015[8]
| Rank | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Jose Ramirez Barreto | 27 |
| 2 |  Chima Okorie | 26* |
| 3 |  Bhaichung Bhutia | 25 |
| 4 | Chidi Edeh | 23 |
| 5 | Ranti Martins | 18 |
| 6 | I. M. Vijayan | 17 |
| Odafa Onyeka Okolie |
(Note. * Includes 7 goals scored in Eastern Zone Qualifiers at Sibsagar – 1990 Federation Cup)