AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The Hero Federation Cup will kick-off on April 30, 2016 with Aizawl FC taking on Hero Federation Cup Champions Bengaluru FC.

The top eight teams as per the standings of the Hero I-League will be playing in the knock-out format on a Home and Away basis including the semifinals with the Final match being slated to be played at a neutral venue.

As per the regulations of the Tournament, the lower ranked Teams (as per the standings of the Hero I-League) are to play their Home match first.

Round One is scheduled to be played on April 30, May 1 and May 2; while Round 2 will be played on May 3, 4 and 5, 2016.

The first round of the semifinals is to be played on May 7 and May 8 with the return legs slated for May 14 and 15.

The Final will be played on May 21.

The schedule of the Tournament is as follows:

Round 1:

Match No 1: Aizawl FC vs Bengaluru FC (April 30).

Match No 2: Salgaocar SC vs Mohun Bagan (May 2).

Match No 3: Shillong Lajong FC vs Kingfisher East Bengal (May 1).

Match No 4: Mumbai FC vs Sporting Clube de Goa (May 1).

Round 2:

Match 5: Bengaluru FC vs Aizawl FC (May 3).

Match 6: Mohun Bagan vs Salgaocar FC (May 5).

Match 7: Kingfisher East Bengal vs Shillong Lajong FC (May 4).

Match 8: Sporting Clube de Goa vs Mumbai FC (May 4).

SEMIFINAL (Round 1):

Match No 9: Winners of Match 1 & 5 vs Winners of Match 4 & 8.

Match No. 10: Winners of Match 2 & 6 vs Winners of Match 3 & 7.

SEMIFINAL (Round 2):

Match No 11: Winners of Match 4 & 8 vs Winners of Match 1 & 5.

Match No 12: Winners of Match 3 & 7 vs Winners of Match 2 & 6.

GRAND FINALE: May 21, 2016.