Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2026: Bangladesh Replace Pakistan, India to Open Campaign on October 27

India to Open Asian Champions Trophy 2026 Campaign Against Bangladesh in Jalandhar

India will begin their campaign in the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 against Bangladesh in Jalandhar on October 27, with the prestigious continental hockey tournament set to be held at two venues in Punjab until November 5.

The Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar will host the league-stage matches 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 rounds.

The semi-finals are scheduled for November 4, while the bronze-medal match and the final will take place on November 5.

Six teams will compete in the tournament: defending champions India, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, China and Bangladesh. India, who are also the reigning Asian Games champions, will enter the competition as the highest-ranked team, aiming to continue their strong run in continental hockey.

The opening ceremony will be held on October 27, ahead of India’s opening fixture against Bangladesh. The tournament will follow a single round-robin format, with each team playing five league matches. The top four sides will advance to the semi-finals.

Following their opening match, India will take on China on October 29, Japan on October 30, Malaysia on November 1 and South Korea on November 2. All five of India’s league-stage matches are scheduled to begin at 7 PM IST.

October 28, October 31 and November 3 have been set aside as rest days in the tournament calendar.

India are the most successful team in Asian Champions Trophy history, having lifted the title in 2011, 2016, 2018, 2023 and 2024. The 2018 edition saw India and Pakistan share the championship. The hosts will now aim to add another title to their record in front of home fans in Punjab.

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey welcomed the announcement of the schedule, expressing optimism about the competition.

“The announcement of the match schedule adds to the excitement for the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026. We are delighted to welcome the teams from across Asia to Punjab and look forward to witnessing some high-quality hockey,” Tirkey said.

Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh also highlighted the growing anticipation ahead of the tournament.

“With the schedule now announced, the countdown to the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 has truly begun,” Singh said.