Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 will be held in Punjab from 27 October to 5 November 2026, with matches scheduled in Jalandhar and Mohali. India will host the tournament for the second time and enter the competition as the defending champion. The Indian team has won the title five times, making it the most successful team in the tournament’s history.

The tournament will bring together six national teams: India, Malaysia, South Korea, China, Japan and Bangladesh. It will be an important international hockey event for India and a major occasion for Punjab, a state with a strong tradition of producing hockey players.

The competition will also mark the return of an international hockey tournament to Punjab for the first time since the 2009 Punjab Gold Cup. The state government has approved a budget of ₹25.40 crore for the event, and admission to all matches will be free.

Six Teams to Compete for the Title

The 2026 edition will feature six teams from Asia. India, Malaysia, South Korea, China, Japan and Bangladesh will compete in the league stage before the knockout matches.

Each team will play against every other team once during the league stage. The four teams with the best records will qualify for the semifinals. The winners of the semifinals will advance to the final, while the losing teams will compete for the bronze medal.

This format gives every participating team several opportunities to earn points and qualify for the knockout stage. Teams will need to perform consistently throughout the league matches to remain in contention for the title.

Pakistan was initially listed among the participating teams but withdrew because of security concerns. Bangladesh replaced Pakistan on 9 October 2026, completing the six-team lineup for the tournament.

India Begins Its Campaign Against Bangladesh

India will begin its Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 campaign against Bangladesh on 27 October in Jalandhar. As defending champions, the Indian team will aim to add another title to its record.

India has won the tournament in 2011, 2016, 2018, 2023 and 2024. These victories have established India as the leading team in the competition.

The tournament will also give the Indian squad an opportunity to compete against some of Asia’s leading hockey teams. Matches against Malaysia, South Korea, China and Japan are expected to test India’s attacking play, defensive organisation and ability to perform under pressure.

For the participating teams, the league stage will be important because only four sides will advance to the semifinals. A strong start can help a team build momentum, but consistent performance across all its matches will be necessary to reach the final.

Jalandhar to Host the Opening Matches

The Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium at Burlton Park in Jalandhar will host the opening ceremony and league-stage matches from 27 October to 2 November 2026.

The stadium is named after Surjit Singh, an Indian hockey defender who was part of the Indian team that won the 1975 Men’s Hockey World Cup. His contribution to Indian hockey is remembered through the stadium’s name.

Jalandhar has a strong connection with hockey and sports equipment manufacturing. Hosting the opening phase of the tournament will bring international teams and hockey supporters to the city.

The league-stage matches will determine the four teams that qualify for the semifinals. Supporters will be able to watch the games free of charge, according to the tournament announcement.

Mohali to Host the Semifinals and Medal Matches

After the league stage in Jalandhar, the tournament will move to the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali. The venue will host the semifinals and medal matches on 4 and 5 November 2026.

The medal stage will include the bronze-medal match and the final. These matches will decide the final positions of the leading teams and determine which country wins the 2026 championship.

The stadium is named after Balbir Singh Senior, one of India’s most celebrated hockey players. He was a key member of India’s Olympic gold-medal-winning teams and played an important role in the country’s hockey history.

Holding the final stages in Mohali will give another Punjab city a role in the tournament. The use of venues in both Jalandhar and Mohali also highlights the state’s contribution to Indian hockey.

Punjab’s Contribution to Indian Hockey

Punjab has produced many prominent Indian hockey players across generations. These include Udham Singh, Balbir Singh Senior, Manpreet Singh and Harmanpreet Singh.

The state’s sporting culture has helped develop players who have represented India at major international competitions. Hockey remains an important part of Punjab’s sporting identity, with many players from the state contributing to the national team.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched the tournament logo on 14 September 2026. The state government’s approval of ₹25.40 crore reflects the arrangements planned for hosting the international competition.

The tournament is also an opportunity to bring attention to hockey among young players and supporters. International matches in Punjab can give local audiences the chance to watch high-level hockey and encourage greater interest in the sport.

India’s Record in the Asian Champions Trophy

India is the most successful team in the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy, with five titles. Its championship years are 2011, 2016, 2018, 2023 and 2024.

The competition brings together leading Asian national teams and provides a platform for them to test their skills against one another. India will face teams with different playing styles, making tactical planning and teamwork important throughout the tournament.

The 2026 edition will also take place as India prepares for future international hockey challenges, including the build-up towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

According to the information provided for the tournament, the event is expected to be the final international assignment for senior Indian players Mandeep Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas and Nilakanta Sharma. Their participation and future plans will depend on the team’s arrangements and official announcements.

What to Expect from the 2026 Tournament

The Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 will combine a six-team league stage with semifinals and medal matches. India will open against Bangladesh in Jalandhar on 27 October, and the league phase will continue there through 2 November.

The tournament will then move to Mohali for the semifinals and medal matches on 4 and 5 November. With India defending its title and five-time champion status, the competition will attract attention from hockey followers across the country.

The return of an international hockey tournament to Punjab after the 2009 Punjab Gold Cup also makes the event notable for the state. With free admission announced for all matches, supporters will have an opportunity to watch the participating teams compete in Jalandhar and Mohali.