Punjab to host Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament

Punjab will host the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy for the first time from October 27 to November 5, 2026. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann unveiled the tournament logo and announced that the state has sanctioned ₹25.40 crore for the event, including funds to upgrade the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar and the Olympian Balbir Singh (Senior) International Hockey Stadium in Mohali.

The tournament will feature six top Asian teams: India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea. Oman and Bangladesh are designated as reserve teams. A highly anticipated match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is scheduled for November 1 in Jalandhar, coinciding with Punjab Day.

While bilateral sporting series between India and Pakistan remain restricted due to political tensions, Chief Minister Mann noted that Indian policy allows participation in multi-lateral tournaments in accordance with the Olympic Charter. Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh confirmed that relations between the two national hockey federations remain positive. To encourage local participation, the Punjab government has announced free entry to all matches.