After Asian Games Triumph, India Turn Focus to Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026

Fresh from successfully defending their Asian Games men’s hockey title, the Indian team will turn its attention to another major continental challenge as the Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 gets underway from October 27 to November 5.

India made history at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan by becoming the first team to successfully defend the men’s hockey title, winning their second consecutive gold medal.

With the Asian Games triumph still fresh, the Indian team will now look to carry that momentum into the Asian Champions Trophy, which will be staged on home soil in Punjab.

India, Japan, China, Malaysia, South Korea and Bangladesh will compete in the six-team tournament. The league-stage matches will be played at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, before the competition moves to Mohali for the knockout stages.

“Winning the Asian Games gold in Japan was a special achievement for this group. But now the celebrations are behind us, and our focus has to shift quickly. The Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 is a new challenge, on home soil, and we need to bring the same hunger, discipline and intensity to every match as we look to build on our success,” said Craig Fulton, Chief Coach of the Indian men’s team.

The tournament will also mark the return of international hockey to Punjab, a state that has played a significant role in the development and popularity of the sport in India.

Jalandhar will host the league-stage fixtures, while the semifinals and final will be held at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali, bringing the tournament to a climax during its final two days.

India have a strong record in the Asian Champions Trophy since its introduction in 2011. The team has won the title four times, making it the most successful side in the tournament’s history.

India also shared the trophy with Pakistan in 2018 after the final in Muscat, Oman, was abandoned due to rain.

With another continental title at stake, India will aim to build on the confidence from their Asian Games campaign and make the most of the home advantage in Punjab.