Domestic football is finally making its long-awaited return to the iconic Bangabandhu National Stadium after a prolonged five-year hiatus. The nation’s premier sporting venue was closed for extensive renovation work following a high-profile fixture between Abahani Limited and Bashundhara Kings on 20 September 2021. Although the venue later hosted a few international matches following its partial reopening, competitive domestic club football remained completely absent from the grounds. That dry spell is officially set to end on 24 November, when a Federation Cup clash between Fortis FC and Rahmatganj MFS marks the official homecoming of domestic club fixtures to the historic arena.
The official tournament draw for the upcoming Federation Cup took place at the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) headquarters, mapping out the paths for thirteen participating clubs. The competing sides have been divided into two distinct groups for the preliminary stage. Group A features Abahani Limited, Fortis FC, Rahmatganj, Brothers Union, Fakirerpool Young Men’s Club, and newcomer Chattogram City FC. Meanwhile, Group B comprises reigning champions Bashundhara Kings, Police FC, traditional giants Mohammedan Sporting Club, PWD Sports Club, Arambagh Krira Sangha, City Club, and Dhaka Wanderers Club.
Alongside the official draw, the BFF league committee released the comprehensive tournament schedule. According to the fixtures, at least seven group-stage matches will be hosted at the National Stadium, with knockout fixtures also expected to be held at the central venue depending on progression. Imrul Hasan, chairman of the BFF league committee, officially briefed journalists regarding the venue allocations during the draw ceremony.
Despite the excitement surrounding the stadium’s reopening, tensions have simmered between club administrators and the federation regarding the overarching football calendar. A combination of national team training camps, upcoming FIFA international windows, the SAFF Championship, and AFC Challenge League commitments threaten to create lengthy, disruptive gaps throughout the domestic season. Addressing these concerns, ten premier league clubs submitted a formal letter to the BFF on 8 September, expressing deep anxiety over the cramped and disjointed scheduling.
However, the league committee proceeded to announce the commencement dates—setting the domestic league for 18 September and the Federation Cup for 22 September—without prior formal consultations with the concerned clubs. Addressing the backlash, Imrul Hasan noted that the federation intends to deliberate on the clubs’ grievances alongside the BFF president before convening a formal meeting with team management to address the scheduling dilemma.
Beyond the capital, the Federation Cup will adopt a decentralized format to promote regional engagement, utilizing three alternative venues across the country. Matches will be spread across the Shaheed Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj, the Gopalganj District Stadium, and the Shaheed Miraj-Tapon Stadium in Manikganj. The tournament officially kicks off on 22 September in Gopalganj, where Fortis FC will face Fakirerpool Young Men’s Club in the opening fixture of the campaign.
