Rajgir Gears Up for Men’s Asia Cup Hockey with Free Entry for Fans

Rajgir: In a major boost to hockey lovers, Hockey India on Tuesday announced that entry to all matches of the Men’s Asia Cup 2025 in Rajgir will be free, allowing fans to witness international action without any cost. The move aims to make the event a people’s festival and inspire greater participation in the sport.

The tournament will be staged from August 29 to September 7 at the newly built Rajgir Hockey Stadium, where eight top Asian teams—India, Japan, China, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Korea, Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei—will battle for supremacy. With the championship doubling as a qualifier for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, every match is expected to be fiercely contested.

India, placed in Pool A, will begin their campaign against China on August 29, followed by a clash with Japan on August 31, before wrapping up the group stage against Kazakhstan on September 1.

To make access seamless, Hockey India has introduced a virtual ticketing system. Fans can register through www.ticketgenie.in
or the Hockey India app to receive their tickets digitally, removing the hassle of physical collection.

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey described the decision as a landmark step: “By keeping entry free, we want families, students and young athletes to enjoy the sport and be part of this historic event in Bihar.”

Secretary general Bhola Nath Singh added that Rajgir’s overwhelming enthusiasm for hockey would create a vibrant atmosphere. “We expect full stands and passionate support throughout the tournament, which aligns with our goal of promoting hockey culture nationwide,” he said.

With free access, digital ticketing, and world-class hockey on display, the Men’s Asia Cup 2025 is set to transform Rajgir into the epicentre of Asian hockey over the next fortnight.