Trophy to travel across Punjab ahead of the ninth edition of the men’s tournament, with Jalandhar and Mohali set to host Asia’s top hockey teams from October 27 to November 5 

Rakesh Thapliyal 

New Delhi, 19 October 2026: The Trophy Tour ahead of the men’s Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 commenced in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) on October 18, bringing the excitement of the continent’s premier hockey competition closer to fans across Punjab.

The nine-day tour, flagged off from the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali on Sunday, will travel through the state’s iconic cities and towns — celebrating Punjab’s deep-rooted association with the sport before reaching Jalandhar on October 26, a day ahead of the tournament’s opening.

The Trophy Tour aims to build anticipation for the ninth edition of the competition while connecting communities with an event that marks the return of international hockey to one of the sport’s traditional strongholds in India. As the trophy makes its way across the state, it will pass through several prominent destinations, including Patiala, Amritsar, Bathinda, Ludhiana and Kapurthala, among others, offering people an opportunity to be part of the build-up to the prestigious continental event.

Punjab has played a significant role in shaping Indian hockey, producing generations of players who have represented the country with distinction on the international stage. The Trophy Tour celebrates this legacy, while inviting fans, aspiring players and local communities to unite in support of the upcoming tournament.

The journey will culminate in Jalandhar on October 26, with the city set to host the league stage of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium from October 27 to November 2. The tournament will then move to Mohali, where the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium will host the semi-finals and medal matches on November 4 and 5.

The Asian Champions Trophy, established in 2011, brings together the continent’s leading hockey nations in a competition that has grown into an important fixture on the international calendar.

India, the most successful team in the tournament’s history with five titles, will look to extend their record while playing on home soil. Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, China and Bangladesh will be the other five teams competing for top honours.

Photo Credit: Hockey India