The dates for the much-anticipated Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 were officially announced on Monday by the Chief Minister of Punjab, Shri Bhagwant Mann, in Mohali. The prestigious continental tournament will be held from October 27 to November 5, bringing international hockey to the state of Punjab.
The tournament will be jointly hosted by Mohali and Jalandhar, with matches taking place at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium, Mohali, and the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, Jalandhar.
Jalandhar will host the opening ceremony as well as all league-stage matches from October 27 to November 2. The tournament will then move to Mohali, which will stage the semi-finals on November 4 and the final on November 5, bringing the competition to a grand conclusion.
“The historic Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 is not merely a hockey tournament for Punjab; it is an emotional homecoming of the sport to the land that has nurtured generations of Indian hockey heroes,” said the Chief Minister of Punjab, Shri Bhagwant Mann.
“For the first time, Punjab is hosting an international hockey tournament of this stature on its own soil. The Punjab Government is determined to make it an unforgettable sporting spectacle for players, spectators and hockey lovers across India and the world,” the CM added.
On the occasion, Hockey India’s Secretary General Shri Bhola Nath Singh, Director General Cdr RK Srivastava, Executive Board Member RP Singh and Hockey Punjab President Nitin Kohli were also present.
The tournament is set to feature some of the continent’s top hockey nations, with India, Pakistan, South Korea, Malaysia, China and Japan listed among the participating teams. Oman and Bangladesh are the reserve teams.
The Men’s Asian Champions Trophy is one of the premier events on the Asian Hockey Federation calendar and provides a high-quality competitive platform for the continent’s leading teams. The 2026 edition is expected to attract significant attention from hockey fans across India and Asia, while showcasing Punjab’s rich hockey heritage and its contribution to the sport.
With the tournament being hosted across two iconic hockey venues, the event will also provide an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of Punjab’s legendary players and strengthen the state’s position as one of India’s foremost hockey hubs.
“Punjab has a proud hockey legacy, and we are delighted that Mohali and Jalandhar will host the Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026. We sincerely thank and appreciate the Punjab Government’s support,” said Dr Dilip Tirkey, President, Hockey India.
Hockey India’s Secretary General, Shri Bhola Nath Singh, said: The announcement of the Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 dates marks an important step towards a memorable tournament in Punjab. We are grateful to the Government of Punjab and Honourable Chief Minister Shri Bhagwant Mann for their support and commitment to hockey. Mohali and Jalandhar, with their rich hockey culture, will provide an inspiring stage for Asia’s top teams.”
(Inputs from Hockey India)
