A new season of the Santosh Trophy has begun, with 12 teams competing against each other. This year the tournament began on the 21st of January 2026 in Assam.
This is the 79th edition of the tournament. The first edition of the Santosh Trophy was played in 1941. In the ongoing edition, there are two groups: Group A and Group B. Both groups consist of 6 teams each. Group A consists of teams like Assam, West Bengal, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu & Uttarakhand, while Group B consists of teams like Services, Railways, Punjab, Kerala, Meghalaya & Odisha.
The Santosh Trophy is amongst the traditional and reputable Football tournaments in Indian Football. Over the years, the Santosh Trophy has helped Indian Football hone some of the best Footballing talents in India who have gone on to represent the national team as well. In this article, we discuss teams who have showcased their dominance in one of the oldest Footballing events in Indian football by winning the Santosh Trophy most number of times in the past. The teams mentioned in the piece possessed different playing styles depending on their players’ technique. We discuss these teams in detail :
West Bengal (Winners of 33 Santosh Trophy Tournaments & 14 runner up finishes)-West Bengal is amongst the most successful teams in the history of the Santosh Trophy tournament. The domination of teams like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal FC, Mohammedan Sporting, etc, indicates West Bengal’s strong Footballing culture. West Bengal has produced some sensational performances in the previous Santosh Trophy tournaments, winning 33 trophies and finishing runner-up 14 times. They won their first Santosh Trophy in 1941-42.
The team possessed some brilliant goal scorers who dominated the best defensive units with their speed, strategic play and dribbling. They won six Santosh Trophy tournaments 6 times from 1993 to 1999, which showcases their consistency. West Bengal teams had a lot of depth in all departments in their squads whenever they played the Santosh Trophy, which made them the toughest sides to beat. West Bengal has always played with an attacking mindset, dominating the opponents with their possession-based play and long-range passing.
West Bengal clubs have produced players like Bhaichung Bhutia, Ahmed Khan, Subrata Paul, Sunil Chhetri, etc., who have made a big impression on every Indian football fan’s mind thus representing the national side with pride.
Punjab (Winners of 8 Santosh Trophy Tournaments & 8 runner-up finishes)-Punjab won its first Santosh Trophy in 1970-71 but haven’t won any Santosh Trophy tournament after 2007-08. Punjab had the reputation of producing some high-class defenders who have showcased their physicality with some power-packed tackles and interceptions.
Punjab won 8 Santosh Trophy competitions and finished runner-up 8 times. Punjab have produced players who were known for attacking Football. Previous Punjab teams have always played with aggression and their ability to play offensive football.
Services (Winners of 7 Santosh Trophy Tournaments & 5 runner-up finishes)-Undoubtedly amongst the most competitive units in the history of Santosh Trophy, Services have witnessed players representing the team from all three disciplines of the armed forces. They have drawn respect across the nation and represent the team with utmost pride.
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Services have produced some clever playmakers who have outsmarted the opponents with their link-up play in the midfield. The team has won the tournament 7 times and finished runner-up 5 times. They won their first Santosh Trophy in 1960-61, beating Bengal 1-0 in the final. Services teams have showcased exceptional work ethics on and off the field that set high standards. They have produced players who also set high standards on the field as far as their fitness was concerned
Goa (Winners of 5 Santosh Trophy Tournaments & 9 runner-up finishes)-Goa has been a hub of top-class footballing talent in India. Teams like Dempo, Churchill Brothers, SESA FA, Sporting Goa, Vasco FC are some of the most reputed clubs in Goan football that have showcased their domination in Indian domestic Football especially in the I League and Santosh Trophy. Over the years, Goa has produced the brightest of talents in the age-group and youth football, which has engraved a unique element in the state’s as well as India’s footballing culture.
Goa has won the tournament 5 times and has finished as runner-up on 9 occasions. Goa has refined the skills of some of the finest and talented performers who have represented the country in various tournaments. Goa has highlighted an attacking style of football right from the junior level as it has witnessed some of the most supremely talented strikers. Goa made its debut in the Santosh Trophy in 1964, but won its first Santosh Trophy in 1982.
Goa has been the team that has always emphasized on possession based play and winning the ball from the opposition. Goa won their last Santosh Trophy in 2023-24. Armando Colaco, Savio Medeira, Climax Lawrence, Clifford Miranda are some of the notable names in Goan Football.
Kerala (Winners of 7 Santosh Trophy tournaments & 9 runner-up finishes)-Kerala is a team that has always surprised its opponents with its out-of-the-box playing style and outsmarting the opponents with their smart play at the wings and set pieces. Kerala is the most followed team in the Southern part of India. The team won its first Santosh Trophy in 1973-74, and its last tournament win came in 2021-22.
Kerala has won 7 Santosh Trophies so far and has finished as runner-up 9 times. Kerala has been a hub of players who have showcased a combination of technique, skill and creativity. Former legendary Footballer M Vijayan, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 2025, is one of the biggest examples. Kerala has produced players who have showcased fluency in the midfield and their ability to create goal-scoring chances with clever movements inside the box.
Karnataka (Winners of 5 Santosh Trophy tournaments & 5- runner-up finishes)-When it comes to Karnataka’s footballing talent, the state has witnessed some of the finest match winners in the history of Santosh Trophy. The team has won the tournament 5 times and finished runner-up 5 times. They won the Santosh Trophy for the first time in 1946-47, and their last tournament win came in 2022-23.
Karnataka hasn’t qualified for the Santosh Trophy in the ongoing season. The team has produced some exceptional talents when it comes to showcasing depth and clever passing during the run of play in the midfield. Karnataka is second most followed team after Kerala in the Southern part of India after Kerala in Indian domestic football.
