Mohali: International hockey will return to Punjab this autumn with the Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 scheduled to be held from October 27 to November 5 in Mohali and Jalandhar.
The dates for the continental tournament were announced on Monday by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Mohali. The 10-day competition will bring six of Asia’s leading hockey nations—India, Pakistan, South Korea, Malaysia, China and Japan—to the state. Oman and Bangladesh have been named reserve teams.
Jalandhar will host the opening ceremony and all league-stage matches from October 27 to November 2 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium. The tournament will then shift to Mohali, where the semi-finals will be played on November 4, followed by the final at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium on November 5.
Describing the tournament as an important moment for Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said hosting the event would bring international hockey back to a state that has produced generations of Indian hockey players.
“The historic Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 is not merely a hockey tournament for Punjab; it is an emotional homecoming of the sport to the land that has nurtured generations of Indian hockey heroes,” Mann said.
He added that the state government was committed to making the tournament a memorable sporting spectacle for players and hockey fans from India and abroad.
Hockey India President Dr Dilip Tirkey welcomed the decision to host the tournament in Punjab, saying the state’s long association with hockey made Mohali and Jalandhar fitting venues for the continental championship.
“Punjab has a proud hockey legacy, and we are delighted that Mohali and Jalandhar will host the Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026. We sincerely thank and appreciate the Punjab Government’s support,” Tirkey said.
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh said the announcement of the dates marked an important step towards organising the tournament.
“We are grateful to the Government of Punjab and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for their support and commitment to hockey. Mohali and Jalandhar, with their rich hockey culture, will provide an inspiring stage for Asia’s top teams,” he said.
The Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy is among the key tournaments on the Asian Hockey Federation calendar and brings together the continent’s leading teams in a high-level competitive format.
The 2026 edition is also expected to spotlight Punjab’s contribution to Indian hockey, with the two iconic venues providing a backdrop to celebrate the legacy of the state’s legendary players and its continuing role in the sport.
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh, Director General Cdr RK Srivastava, Executive Board Member RP Singh and Hockey Punjab President Nitin Kohli were also present during the announcement.
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