JALANDHAR, October 19, 2026: The Indian men’s hockey team has arrived in Jalandhar as preparations gather pace for the Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, bringing international hockey excitement to a city deeply connected with the history of the sport.
The tournament will begin on October 27, with the league-stage matches being played at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar. The arrival of the Indian squad has added to the growing excitement in the city, with players expected to use the coming days to settle in and prepare for the continental competition.
India will enter the tournament as the defending champions and the most successful team in Asian Champions Trophy history. The side will be led by Harmanpreet Singh, with a mix of experienced internationals and younger players forming the squad for the home tournament.
Team India will begin its campaign against Bangladesh on October 27 at 7 PM in Jalandhar. Bangladesh joined the six-team competition following Pakistan’s withdrawal from the tournament.
Apart from India and Bangladesh, China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea will compete for the continental title. All six teams will face each other during the league stage, with the leading four sides progressing to the semi-finals.
Jalandhar will remain at the centre of the tournament during the opening phase. The Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium will host the opening ceremony and all league matches from October 27 to November 2, giving local hockey fans several days of international action.
The competition will then shift to Mohali, where the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium will host the semi-finals on November 4. The bronze-medal and championship matches will be played on November 5.
India’s arrival carries particular significance for Jalandhar, a city that has produced generations of international hockey players and remains one of the country’s best-known centres for hockey equipment and sporting talent.
The tournament also marks the return of top-level international hockey to Punjab, giving supporters across the state an opportunity to watch some of Asia’s strongest national teams compete on home soil.
Preparations around the Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium have been intensified ahead of the opening match. Civic and sports authorities have been working on arrangements covering the stadium, surrounding roads, cleanliness, public facilities and other infrastructure required for the international event.
For the Indian team, the tournament comes soon after its successful Asian Games campaign, adding further expectations as the players prepare to compete in front of a home crowd. Harmanpreet Singh’s side will be aiming to maintain India’s strong record in the competition while adapting quickly to the conditions at the Jalandhar venue.
With Team India now in the city and the tournament less than ten days away, the countdown has formally begun for one of Jalandhar’s biggest international sporting events of the year.
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