Bangladesh has replaced Pakistan in the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 after the Pakistan Hockey Federation withdrew its team from the upcoming tournament in India. The competition begins on October 27 across Jalandhar and Mohali, with the defending champion Indian side opening its campaign against the new arrivals.
Tournament Schedule and Venue Split Across Jalandhar and Mohali
The Asian Hockey Federation released the updated match schedule on October 9, 2026, confirming that the tournament will run from October 27 through November 5. Punjab is hosting international hockey for the first time in roughly two decades, utilizing two distinct venues for the group and knockout rounds.
League-stage matches and the opening ceremony will take place at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar from October 27 to November 2. The tournament then shifts to Mohali for the final stages, where the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium will host the semifinals on November 4, followed by the bronze and gold medal matches on November 5.
Pakistan Withdrawal Triggers Bangladesh Inclusion
The tournament lineup shifted after the Pakistan Hockey Federation decided against sending its team to India. Organizers had initially kept Bangladesh and Oman on standby as reserve options. Following the withdrawal, the Asian Hockey Federation invited Bangladesh to take part, and the team confirmed its participation.
The revised six-team tournament field consists of India, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, China, and Bangladesh. Teams will compete in a single round-robin league stage where every side plays five matches, and the top four finishers advance to the semifinals.
India’s Campaign and Historical Dominance in the Tournament
India enters the competition as the top-seeded team after successfully defending its gold medal at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The squad holds the record as the most successful team in Asian Champions Trophy history, having captured five previous titles in 2011, 2016, 2018 (shared jointly with Pakistan), 2023, and 2024.
All of India’s group-stage fixtures are scheduled for 7:00 PM Indian Standard Time. Rest days are built into the calendar on October 28, October 31, and November 3.
- October 27: India versus Bangladesh (Opening Match)
- October 29: India versus China
- October 30: India versus Japan
- November 1: India versus Malaysia
- November 2: India versus South Korea
Leadership Commentary on the Upcoming Punjab Event
Hockey India officials emphasized the significance of bringing continental competition back to Punjab, a region widely regarded as a nursery for the sport in the country.
Dr. Dilip Tirkey said that “the announcement of the match schedule has further heightened the excitement for the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026. We are happy to welcome teams from all over Asia to Punjab and are looking forward to witnessing some great hockey,” according to Khaskhabar.
Bhola Nath Singh stated, “With the announcement of the schedule, the countdown for the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 has truly begun. Hockey India is proud to host the participating nations and showcase Punjab’s passion and hospitality. We are looking forward to an exciting and competitive tournament that will bring fans closer to the sport while giving every team the opportunity to perform at the highest level,” according to Khaskhabar.