Asian Champions Trophy to Bring International Hockey Back to Punjab After 17 Years

International hockey will return to Punjab after a gap of 17 years when the men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 gets underway later this month. The 2009 Punjab Gold Cup was the last international hockey tournament held in the state, making the upcoming competition a significant occasion for Punjab’s hockey-loving public.

India will host the tournament for the second time, with matches scheduled in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5. Besides hosts India, Malaysia, South Korea, China, Japan and Bangladesh will compete for the title.

Reigning Asian Games champions India are the most successful team in the tournament’s history, having won the title five times in 2011, 2016, 2018 (joint winners), 2023 and 2024.

Punjab has played a major role in shaping Indian hockey, producing generations of international players. Legendary names such as Udham Singh and Balbir Singh Sr, along with current stars Manpreet Singh and Harmanpreet Singh, reflect the state’s contribution to the national team.

Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh described the tournament as a special occasion, particularly for players from Punjab who will represent the country on home soil. He said his family, including his father, was expected to watch him play an international match at the stadium for the first time.

The Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium at Burlton Park in Jalandhar will host the opening ceremony and league-stage matches from October 27 to November 2. Named after the celebrated defender and 1975 World Cup winner Surjit Singh, the venue will welcome the participating teams during the opening phase.

The tournament will subsequently move to the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali for the semifinals and medal matches on November 4 and 5.

All six teams will face each other once in the league stage, with the top four advancing to the semifinals. Defending champions India will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on October 27 in Jalandhar, aiming to extend their success in the continental competition.