Madhya Pradesh to Host Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2026
Tournament Schedule and Venue Details
The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) has revealed the match schedule for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2026, set to take place from November 19 to 28 at the newly constructed hockey stadium located in the International Sports Complex, Nathu Barkheda, Bhopal. Six teams, including India, Japan, China, Malaysia, Thailand, and South Korea, will compete for the prestigious continental title, promising an exciting display of women's hockey.
Significance for the Indian Team
This tournament holds particular importance for the Indian women's hockey team, as it marks their first international competition following their remarkable gold medal win at the Asian Games in Japan last month. As the defending champions and three-time titleholders, having won in 2016, 2023, and 2024, India aims to clinch a third consecutive title and further their success in this tournament.
Competition Format and Key Matches
The tournament will adopt a round-robin format, where each team will compete against the other five teams once. The top four teams will progress to the semi-finals. The opening match on November 19 will see China face Thailand, while India will kick off their campaign against Malaysia, following the opening ceremony on the same day.
Match Schedule for the Host Nation
India's match schedule includes facing South Korea on November 21, Thailand on November 22, China on November 24, and Japan on November 25. November 20, 23, and 26 are designated as rest days. The classification match for fifth and sixth place, along with the two semi-finals, will occur on November 27. The tournament will conclude on November 28 with the bronze medal match and the final, determining the three medal-winning teams.
Leadership Insights
With six competitive teams participating, the Madhya Pradesh Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2026 is poised to showcase some of the best talent in Asian women's hockey. Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed, "This tournament will be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the growing strength of women's hockey in Asia. I am thrilled that Bhopal will host these competitive teams and look forward to our Indian team defending its title after their recent success at the Asian Games."
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh added, "With the announcement of the schedule for the Madhya Pradesh Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2026, we are excited to bring together some of Asia's strongest women's hockey teams. Following India's historic gold medal at the Asian Games, this tournament will be a crucial opportunity for our players to maintain that momentum. We appreciate the support from the Madhya Pradesh Government and eagerly anticipate welcoming the teams, officials, and hockey fans to Bhopal for an exhilarating competition."