Fresh from scripting history with a second consecutive Asian Games gold medal, the Indian men’s hockey team is gearing up for its next major assignment — the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, scheduled to take place in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5.
India’s historic triumph at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 in Japan marked a landmark achievement, as the team successfully defended its Asian Games title for the first time. With confidence soaring after this memorable victory, the Men in Blue will now turn their attention to home soil, where they will face Asia’s leading hockey nations in a high-intensity battle for continental supremacy.
The six-team tournament will feature India, Japan, China, Malaysia, South Korea and Bangladesh, promising a thrilling contest among some of the continent’s finest hockey teams.
Reflecting on the team’s recent success and the challenge ahead, Indian men’s team chief coach Craig Fulton said, “Winning the Asian Games gold in Japan was a special achievement for this group. But now the celebrations are behind us and our focus has to shift quickly. The Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 is a new challenge, on home soil, and we need to bring the same hunger, discipline and intensity to every match as we look to build on our success.”
The tournament also marks a significant milestone for Punjab, as international hockey returns to a state renowned for its rich hockey heritage and its invaluable contribution to Indian hockey. The event is expected to bring together passionate fans and top international talent, transforming the host cities into vibrant centres of hockey action.
All league-stage matches will be held at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, while the tournament’s decisive encounters will take place at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali.
The semi-finals and final are scheduled for November 4 and 5, respectively, setting the stage for an exciting finish to the continental competition.
Buoyed by their Asian Games success, India will aim to carry their winning momentum into the tournament, drawing strength from home support as they pursue another prestigious international title.
Since the tournament’s inception in 2011, India have established themselves as the most successful team in Asian Champions Trophy history, winning the title four times. India also shared the trophy with Pakistan in 2018 after rain forced the final in Muscat, Oman, to be abandoned.
With history behind them and another major challenge ahead, the Indian men’s hockey team will look to deliver a commanding performance on home turf and further strengthen its position among Asia’s hockey powerhouses.
(Inputs from Hockey India)
