The Men’s Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 promises to be a special occasion for Indian hockey, bringing international competition back to Punjab, a state renowned for its rich hockey heritage and generations of legendary players.
India will host the men’s edition of the continental tournament for the second time, following Chennai’s successful staging of the event in 2023. Scheduled from October 27 to November 5, the tournament will bring together six of Asia’s leading hockey nations — India, Malaysia, South Korea, China, Japan and Bangladesh.
For Punjab, hockey is far more than a sport. It is deeply rooted in the state’s cultural identity, with villages, academies and local sporting communities playing a pivotal role in nurturing talent for the national team. Over the decades, the state has produced some of India’s most celebrated hockey players, including Udham Singh, Balbir Singh Sr, Manpreet Singh and current captain Harmanpreet Singh.
As Punjab prepares to welcome Asia’s finest teams, the tournament will provide an opportunity to celebrate this enduring legacy while bringing top-level international hockey closer to passionate home supporters. Jalandhar and Mohali will jointly host the competition, placing the state’s sporting heritage and world-class infrastructure in the spotlight.
India captain Harmanpreet Singh described the occasion as particularly meaningful for the team, especially for players who hail from Punjab.
“It’s going to be a special occasion for the entire team, especially for the players who belong to Punjab because it’s the first time that we will be wearing India jersey at an international tournament in Punjab,” Harmanpreet said.
The tournament will also hold deep personal significance for the Indian skipper, whose family is expected to watch him play an international match at the venue for the first time.
“My entire family is expected to be at the stadium watching me play an international match together from the venue for the first time, including my father who has never seen me play for the country while sitting inside the stadium.”he added.
Harmanpreet, who captained India to Asian Games gold medals in the 2022 and 2023 editions, has been a key figure in the country’s recent hockey successes.
Jalandhar, one of the heartlands of Indian hockey, will host the opening ceremony and league-stage matches at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Burlton Park. Named after the celebrated defender and 1975 World Cup winner Surjit Singh, the stadium will welcome teams from October 27 to November 2.
The competition will then move to the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali for the semi-finals and medal matches on November 4 and 5.
Jalandhar’s contribution to Indian hockey is particularly evident in villages such as Sansarpur and Mithapur, which have nurtured generations of players who have represented the country at the highest level. Punjab’s grassroots sporting culture, strong local academies and enduring passion for the game have helped produce Olympic medallists, World Cup winners and national team stalwarts.
India enter the tournament as the most successful team in the competition’s history, having won the Asian Champions Trophy five times — in 2011, 2016, 2018 (joint winners), 2023 and 2024. The reigning Asian Games champions will be eager to add another title to their impressive record in front of home supporters.
The tournament will follow a round-robin format, with all six teams facing each other once during the league stage. The top four teams will advance to the semi-finals, followed by the medal matches.
Defending champions India will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on October 27 in Jalandhar.
Beyond the competition itself, the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 represents a homecoming for international hockey in a state whose contribution to the sport spans generations. With passionate fans, a proud sporting tradition and some of the continent’s best teams in action, Punjab is set to provide a fitting stage for a memorable celebration of Indian hockey.
Photo Credit: Asian Hockey Federation
