Stories
Punjab Set to Host Men's Asian Champions Trophy After 17 Years
- •The men’s Asian Champions Trophy marks the return of international hockey to Punjab after a 17-year gap, following the 2009 Punjab Gold Cup.
- •The tournament will take place from October 27 to November 5, featuring hosts India alongside Malaysia, South Korea, China, Japan, and Bangladesh.
- •Matches will be held at Jalandhar and Mohali, with the opening ceremony and league matches at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, and knockout matches in Mohali.
- •India enters the tournament as the most successful team with five titles and will open their campaign against Bangladesh on October 27.
- •Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh expressed excitement about playing an international match in his home state for the first time in front of his family.
Key Questions Answered
The Men's Asian Champions Trophy will take place from October 27 to November 5, 2026, across two cities in Punjab. League-stage matches will be held at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar from October 27 to November 2, while the semifinals and medal matches will take place at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali on November 4 and 5.
The tournament will feature six top Asian hockey nations: hosts India, Malaysia, South Korea, China, Japan, and Bangladesh.
This tournament marks the return of international hockey to Punjab after 17 years, with the 2009 Punjab Gold Cup having been the last international event hosted in the state. Furthermore, it is the first time Punjab is hosting an international hockey tournament of this major scale on its own soil, making it a historic homecoming for a region deeply tied to the sport's cultural identity.
