AIFF Media Team

DHAKUAKHANA, ASSAM: Not only the final, but even earlier round matches drew such huge crowds in the Santosh Trophy 2025-26 in Assam.

It was no different in Nowgong, Silchar, and Guwahati in the earlier editions in Assam. And it was no different in Dhakuakhana or Silapathar either in 2026.

The final between Kerala and Services saw a massive turnout at the Bisturam Doley Sports Complex in Dhakuakhana. The stadium was full to the brim a good hour or so before kick-off. Men, women, boys and girls occupied their seats. People thronged the venue occupying every inch of available space.

Many were standing behind the fencing. Some were even sitting on the parapet walls of the stadium. Some could be seen standing on the wall to get a peep of the proceedings as they were blocked by the crowds in front of them. Some even climbed trees adjoining the stadium to get a glimpse of the final. While the official attendance of the final was 4,500, the number of people in the vicinity, peering into the bowl was easily close to 6,000.

It looked as though the whole town had made it a point to come out and cheer the teams.

This despite the home team Assam crashing out in the quarter-finals.

The Santosh Trophy attracts football followers all over the country. People of the city wherein is hosted make it a point to witness as many matches as possible. But surely, they are in the galleries for the semi-finals and the final. The large crowd once again proved that the Santosh Trophy has a huge following everywhere in the country.

The Assam Football Association deserves every appreciation for the successful organisation and hosting of the Santosh Trophy 2025-26 Final Round, playing its part in bringing the sport to two more corners of this huge football-loving country.