Salt Lake Stadium – Mohun Bagan and East Bengal FC
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The Kolkata Derby is one of football’s most steeped in culture and local identity.
On one hand, Mohun Bagan, formed in August 1889 – boasting India’s biggest fan base and the honorary title of India’s ‘National Club’. On the other we have East Bengal FC (estd. 1920), India’s main representative in Asian football and an ever-present member of the National Football League.
Together, they’ve amassed over 380 domestic and international titles. Mohun Bagan boasts 246 of those – making them India’s most successful club.
The only thing that joins these two clubs mired in social and historical differences is geography – i.e, the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Both of them use the 85,000-seater for Asian Cup and I-League fixtures, where they’ll always get a full house.
The victory parades that Kolkata witnesses once the referee blows for this derby’s 90 minutes are a perfect example of the growing soul of football in West Bengal – and Salt Lake Stadium is its beating heart!
