India coach Craig Fulton looks to build on Asian Games success at Men's Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026
(Courtesy : FIH/WorldSportPics)
The Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy will be held in India from October 27 to November 5
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The euphoria surrounding the Indian men’s hockey team’s historic second consecutive Asian Games gold medal now gives way to the next major challenge, as attention turns to the Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026, set to be hosted by Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5.
India’s landmark triumph at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 in Japan marked another defining chapter in the team’s journey—as it was the first time that India successfully defended its Asian Games title.
With that achievement fresh in the minds of players and fans alike, the spotlight now moves to home soil, where India will face Asia’s leading hockey nations in a six-team battle for continental supremacy.
India will be joined by Japan, China, Malaysia, South Korea and Bangladesh as the six participating teams in the prestigious tournament.
“Winning the Asian Games gold in Japan was a special achievement for this group. But now the celebrations are behind us, and our focus has to shift quickly.
“The Asian Champions Trophy 2026 is a new challenge, on home soil, and we need to bring the same hunger, discipline and intensity to every match as we look to build on our success,” said Craig Fulton, the chief coach of the Indian men’s team.
The Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026 also marks a groundbreaking moment for Punjab, with international hockey returning to the state. Known for its deep-rooted hockey culture and rich contribution to Indian hockey, Punjab will welcome the continent’s finest teams for what promises to be a celebration of the sport.
All league-stage matches will be played at Jalandhar’s Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, while the tournament’s decisive encounters will take place in Mohali.
The semi-finals and final will be played at Mohali’s Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium on October 4 and 5, bringing the competition to a fitting climax.
With the Asian Games success providing momentum and belief, India will look to carry that winning spirit into the Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026 on home turf.
Since the inception of the Asian Champions Trophy in 2011, India have won the title four times to be the tournament’s most successful team–besides sharing the trophy once with Pakistan in 2018 when the final in Muscat, Oman, got washed out by rain.
Where and when will Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026 be held?
The tournament will be held in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5, with the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar hosting all pool-stage matches and the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali hosting the knockout rounds.
What did India coach Craig Fulton say about his team’s preparation for the Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 202?
Winning the Asian Games gold in Japan was a special achievement for this group. But now the celebrations are behind us, and our focus has to shift quickly. The Asian Champions Trophy 2026 is a new challenge, on home soil, and we need to bring the same hunger, discipline and intensity to every match as we look to build on our success.
How many times have India won the Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy title?
India are five-time winners of the competition, including winning the previous two editions in 2023 and 2024.
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