International hockey is set to return to Punjab after 17 years, with Jalandhar and Mohali scheduled to host the Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2026. The tournament will be held from October 27 to November 5, featuring six teams, including hosts and defending champions India.
The last international hockey tournament held in Punjab was the 2009 Punjab Gold Cup. The upcoming competition will bring together India, Malaysia, South Korea, China, Japan and Bangladesh, with teams competing for the continental title.
The opening ceremony and league-stage matches will be held at Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium at Burlton Park in Jalandhar from October 27 to November 2. The tournament will then move to Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali, which will host the semifinals and medal matches on November 4 and 5.
India will begin its title defence against Bangladesh on October 27 in Jalandhar. The Indian team has won the Asian Champions Trophy five times, in 2011, 2016, 2018, 2023 and 2024, making it the most successful team in the tournament's history.
The competition will follow a round-robin format, with all six teams playing each other once during the league stage. The top four teams in the standings will qualify for the semifinals.
Indian men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh said the tournament would be a special occasion for the team, particularly for players from Punjab, who will represent India in an international competition in their home state.
In a statement released by Hockey India, Harmanpreet said his family was expected to watch him play an international match at the stadium together for the first time. He also said his father had never watched him represent India from inside a stadium.
Punjab has contributed several players to Indian hockey over the years, including former players Udham Singh and Balbir Singh Sr, along with current players Manpreet Singh and Harmanpreet Singh.
The Jalandhar stadium is named after Olympian Surjit Singh, a celebrated defender who was part of India's 1975 World Cup-winning team.
The tournament will give hockey fans in Punjab an opportunity to watch six Asian teams compete across two venues, with the title-deciding matches scheduled to take place in Mohali on November 4 and 5.
