Jalandhar Ready to Welcome Asia’s Hockey Giants as Champions Trophy Begins October 27

Six nations to compete in Punjab; Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium to host league matches as the city showcases its rich hockey heritage JALANDHAR: International hockey will return to Punjab on October 27 with the start of the Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026, bringing six Asian nations to Jalandhar and Mohali for the continental tournament scheduled to conclude on November 5. Jalandhar will host the opening ceremony and all league-stage matches at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium from October 27 to November 2. The tournament will then move to Mohali for the semi-finals and medal matches. The participating teams are India, Bangladesh, China, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia. Bangladesh have replaced Pakistan following the latter’s withdrawal from the competition. Defending champions India will look to retain their title while playing in front of home supporters. The six teams will compete in a single round-robin league, with each side facing the other five teams once. The top four teams will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for November 4 in Mohali. The bronze-medal and final matches will take place on November 5. India’s league fixtures India will open their campaign against Bangladesh on October 27. The hosts will subsequently face China on October 29, Japan on October 30, Malaysia on November 1 and South Korea on November 2. All five of India’s league matches are scheduled to begin at 7 pm IST. Jalandhar’s enduring hockey legacy The tournament will bring renewed attention to Jalandhar’s longstanding association with hockey, a sport that has shaped the city’s sporting identity and produced generations of talented players. The Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, located at Burlton Park, is named after Surjit Singh, a member of India’s 1975 World Cup-winning team. The stadium has hosted numerous hockey competitions over the years and remains an important sporting venue in the region. The Surjit Hockey Society, established in 1984, has played a role in promoting the game through the annual Surjit Memorial Hockey Tournament and its hockey academy. The academy provides training opportunities for aspiring players and contributes to the development of local talent. Jalandhar’s hockey tradition also extends to villages surrounding the city. Sansarpur and Mithapur are particularly associated with the sport and have produced prominent hockey players over the years. Sansarpur is renowned for producing numerous Olympians who represented India and Kenya at different editions of the Olympic Games. Beyond its sporting tradition, Jalandhar is one of India’s major sports goods manufacturing centres. Its manufacturers produce equipment for various sports and supply domestic and international markets, strengthening the city’s reputation as a hub of sporting activity. The Asian Champions Trophy will provide local hockey enthusiasts an opportunity to watch international teams compete on home ground. With the league stage scheduled at the Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, the tournament will place Jalandhar’s hockey heritage and its contribution to Indian sport in the spotlight.