Jalandhar, October 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
International hockey returns to Punjab on Tuesday as defending champions India begin their campaign at the men’s Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) 2026 in Jalandhar, aiming to extend their record tally of titles and secure a third consecutive championship.
India will compete against Japan, China, Malaysia, South Korea and Bangladesh in the six-team continental tournament, which begins on October 27. The event offers the Indian team an opportunity to play before supporters in Punjab, a state that has produced generations of players for Indian hockey.
Coached by Craig Fulton and captained by Harmanpreet Singh, India enter the competition after successfully defending their Asian Games gold medal in Japan. The team will look to carry that momentum into the tournament and add another title to its impressive record.
India have won the Asian Champions Trophy five times—in 2011, 2016, 2018, 2023 and 2024. The 2018 edition ended with India and Pakistan sharing the title.
India’s most recent triumph came in Hulunbuir, China, in 2024, when Jugraj Singh scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over the hosts in the final. India also won the 2023 edition in Chennai and will now aim to make it three consecutive titles.
The hosts suffered a setback ahead of the tournament when former captain and star playmaker Manpreet Singh was ruled out due to a calf injury. Fellow midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad has been named as his replacement.
India captain Harmanpreet said the team would approach every match with equal focus and respect for its opponents.
“Every team is here to compete and win the tournament. All the teams are strong, and we do not want to take any opponent lightly. Everyone has come here to give their best,” he said.
“We have gained a lot of experience and matured as a team. We will approach every match with the same mindset and give every opponent the respect they deserve,” Harmanpreet added.
Malaysia, runners-up to India at the Asian Games, will be among the principal challengers to the hosts. Their league-stage clash with India is scheduled for November 1.
South Korea, a regular contender in Asian hockey, will also look to make a strong impression after finishing fourth at the Asian Games. Japan, which finished fifth, will aim to improve its standing in the continental competition.
Bangladesh will open their campaign against India on October 27 and will look to build on their experience against the hosts at the Asian Games. China, meanwhile, will seek to make the most of home-region familiarity after finishing runners-up to India in the 2024 final.
The 2026 tournament is the ninth edition of the Asian Champions Trophy. The six participating teams will play a single round-robin league, with each side facing the other five teams once. The top four teams at the end of the league stage will advance to the semi-finals.
All league-stage matches will be held at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar from October 27 to November 2. The tournament will then move to the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali for the knockout stage.
The semi-finals are scheduled for November 4, followed by the bronze-medal and gold-medal matches on November 5.
India will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on October 27 before facing China on October 29, Japan on October 30, Malaysia on November 1 and South Korea on November 2.
Except for the opening match against Bangladesh, all of India’s league fixtures are scheduled to begin at 7 pm IST. The opener will start at 7.20 pm, following a grand opening ceremony.
The ceremony will showcase Punjab’s cultural heritage through traditional Bhangra and Giddha performances, alongside demonstrations by exponents of Gatka, the Sikh martial art. A musical performance and laser show will also feature among the attractions.
Hockey India has announced free entry for spectators at both tournament venues in Jalandhar and Mohali, giving fans an opportunity to watch the continental competition without purchasing tickets.
The tournament holds special significance for Punjab, which has long been one of the traditional centres of Indian hockey. Jalandhar, in particular, has a strong association with the sport and has contributed players who have represented India at the highest level.
For Harmanpreet and his teammates, the immediate challenge will be to defend their title on home ground, maintain their winning momentum and finish the season with another major trophy.
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