Hero Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2026 Dates Announced for Punjab
Exciting Announcement for Hockey Fans
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], September 14: The Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, officially revealed the schedule for the Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 during an event in Mohali on Monday.
This esteemed tournament is set to take place from October 27 to November 5, bringing a wave of international hockey to Punjab.
Jointly hosted by Mohali and Jalandhar, matches will occur at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali and the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, as stated in a release from Hockey India.
Jalandhar will kick off the tournament with the opening ceremony and all league matches from October 27 to November 2. Following this, the semi-finals will be held in Mohali on November 4, culminating in the final match on November 5.
Bhagwant Mann expressed, “The Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 is not just a hockey event for Punjab; it symbolizes the return of the sport to its roots, where generations of Indian hockey legends have emerged.”
He further noted, “This is the first time Punjab will host such a significant international hockey tournament on its own turf. Our government is committed to making this an unforgettable experience for players and fans alike.”
Present at the announcement were Hockey India’s Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh, Director General Cdr RK Srivastava, Executive Board Member RP Singh, and Hockey Punjab President Nitin Kohli.
The tournament will feature top hockey nations from the continent, including India, Pakistan, South Korea, Malaysia, China, and Japan, with Oman and Bangladesh as reserve teams.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister shared his pride in hosting the tournament, stating, “It is a significant honor for Punjab to host the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026. The league matches will take place in Jalandhar, while the semi-finals and finals will be in Mohali. A historic match between India and Pakistan is scheduled for November 1 at 7 PM in Jalandhar.”
He also mentioned that entry to all matches will be free, encouraging youth participation in sports. “Come out in large numbers to support the players,” he urged.
The Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy is a premier event on the Asian Hockey Federation’s calendar, providing a competitive platform for leading teams. The 2026 edition is anticipated to draw significant attention from hockey enthusiasts across India and Asia, showcasing Punjab’s rich hockey heritage.
Hosting the tournament at two iconic venues will also celebrate the legacy of Punjab’s legendary players and reinforce the state’s status as a key hockey hub in India.
Dilip Tirkey, President of Hockey India, expressed gratitude, stating, “Punjab has a proud hockey legacy, and we are thrilled that Mohali and Jalandhar will host the Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026. We appreciate the support from the Punjab Government.”
Bhola Nath Singh emphasized that announcing the tournament dates is a significant milestone towards a memorable event in Punjab.
“We are thankful to the Government of Punjab and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for their unwavering support for hockey. Mohali and Jalandhar, with their rich hockey culture, will provide an inspiring backdrop for Asia’s top teams,” he added.