East Bengal have been drawn alongside Nejmeh SC (Lebanon), Basundhara Kings (Bangladesh), and Paro FC (Bhutan) in Group A of the AFC Challenge League 2024-25. The draw was conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

East Bengal after winning the Kalinga Super Cup last year, qualified for the third tier of AFC club competitions, but crashed out of the AFC Champions League -Two qualifier losing 2-3 to Altyn Asyr FC.

This will be the first time East Bengal is playing in a continental club competition group stage since the 2015 AFC Cup. The Red-and-Gold brigade's best performance was in the 2013 AFC Cup when the team reached the semifinal.

Nejmeh SC, the Lebanese qualified for the AFC Challenge League following the title in the Lebanese Premier League this season. They defeated East Bengal 3-0 and 4-0 in home and away matches, respectively in 2010.

Meanwhile, AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey announced that Lucknow would get its maiden opportunity to witness live football action as Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will face off in an exhibition match.

Chaubey, in conversation with Times of India, revealed that Lucknow shall get the chance to host the two Kolkata clubs in an exhibition match on 2nd September at KD Singh Babu Stadium.

KD Singh Babu Stadium is being renovated for the match as divulged by the Uttar Pradesh sports director RP Singh.