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. However, the euphoria surrounding the team’s historic second consecutive Asian Games gold medal now gives way to the next major challenge, as attention turns to the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, set to be hosted by Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5.
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.
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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 Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 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, chief coach of the Indian men’s team.
India look to carry winning spirit
The Hero 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 semifinals and final will be played at Mohali’s Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium on November 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 Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 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.
