Shillong, Oct 12: The Shillong Sports Association’s Super Cup 2026 will begin tomorrow with the first of two playoffs – between Nongkseh and Sawmer – at 2:45pm.
With the successful conclusion of the Shillong Premier League on Saturday, attention now turns to the Super Cup, a knockout tournament that was successfully introduced by the SSA last year.
The event brings together the Top 6 of the SPL – champions Mawlai, runners-up Shillong Lajong and teams 3 to 6 – Nongkseh, Langsning, Meghalaya Police and Sawmer.
Mawlai and Lajong receive direct entry to the semifinals, while the other four will battle it out in two playoffs.
Lajong are the defending champions – they beat Rangdajied United (who did not qualify this year) in 2025’s final. Cup competitions like this can bring out surprises, as happened last year when Rangdajied, who were only fifth in SPL 2025, made it all the way to the final.
A knockout tournament brings to it a different set of requirements from the players – they cannot play for a draw as every match has to give us a winner. Tied games after 90 minutes will go to extra time and then, if necessary, penalties, meaning that stamina and fortitude become ever more important, which will definitely increase the excitement quotient for the fans.
