Jalandhar, October 9, 2026: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reviewed preparations for the upcoming Men’s Asian Champions Trophy as Jalandhar gears up to welcome some of Asia’s leading hockey teams later this month.
The tournament will be held in Punjab from October 27 to November 5, with matches divided between Jalandhar and Mohali. The Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar will host the opening ceremony as well as all league-stage matches, while the final phase of the competition will be played in Mohali.
Mann has directed the departments concerned to ensure international-standard arrangements for players, officials and spectators. The government has asked different agencies to work in close coordination so that sporting infrastructure, hospitality, traffic management, security and civic facilities are ready before the tournament begins.
Jalandhar will remain the centre of the competition during the league stage from October 27 to November 2. The city’s Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium has been undergoing renovation and infrastructure upgrades ahead of the international tournament.
Officials have been reviewing work at the stadium for several months, with particular attention being given to playing facilities, spectator arrangements and other infrastructure required for an event of international scale.
After the league phase in Jalandhar, the tournament will move to the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali. The semi-final matches are scheduled for November 4, while the bronze-medal and gold-medal contests will take place on November 5.
The Asian Hockey Federation announced the match schedule on Friday, confirming the division of matches between the two Punjab venues.
The competition will feature six Asian teams. Following Pakistan’s withdrawal from the tournament, Bangladesh has been included in the revised line-up alongside India, China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.
India will enter the competition after its successful campaign at the 2026 Asian Games and will be among the leading teams competing for the continental title.
For Punjab, hosting the tournament is significant because of the state’s deep association with Indian hockey. Generations of players from Punjab have represented the country at the Olympic Games, Asian Games and other major international tournaments.
Jalandhar holds particular importance in that history, having produced several international hockey players and remaining one of India’s major centres for the manufacture of sporting equipment.
The Chief Minister has said the tournament should be used not only to stage international hockey but also to showcase Punjab’s sporting heritage, hospitality and infrastructure before players and visitors from across Asia.
The state government has also indicated that arrangements should make the event easily accessible to hockey supporters and encourage young people to watch international-level competition at home.
Authorities are expected to intensify preparations in the coming days as the October 27 opening approaches. Departments responsible for roads, sanitation, security, traffic, health services and stadium infrastructure are being asked to complete pending work within the prescribed timeline.
The hosting of the Asian Champions Trophy will bring international hockey back into focus in Punjab and provide local supporters with an opportunity to watch top Asian teams compete at the Surjit Hockey Stadium.
With less than three weeks remaining before the opening match, the government’s focus has now shifted towards completing the final arrangements and ensuring that Jalandhar and Mohali are ready to host the tournament smoothly.
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