Asian Hockey Champions Trophy: Bangladesh will replace Pakistan to face India in the opening match

Asian Games champions India will begin their campaign against Bangladesh in the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 in Jalandhar on October 27, with the tournament being held at two venues in Punjab till November 5.

The Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar will host all the league stage matches from October 27 to November 2 before the action moves to the knockout stage at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali.

The semi-finals are played on November 4, the bronze medal match and the final are scheduled for November 5.

The tournament will feature six teams: defending champions and reigning Asian Games gold holders India, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, China and Bangladesh. India, five-time winners of the competition, will enter the tournament as the top team after successfully defending their title at the Asian Games in Japan.

The opening ceremony will be held on October 27, shortly before India take on Bangladesh in their opening match. The six teams will compete in a single league stage of the round, with each side playing five matches. The top four teams advance to the semi-finals.

After the opening match against Bangladesh, India will face China on October 29, Japan on October 30, Malaysia on November 1 and South Korea on November 2. All the five league matches of India are scheduled to start at 19:00 IST.

October 28, October 31, and November 3 were designated as non-working days.

India are the most successful team in the history of the Asian Champions Trophy, having won the title in 2011, 2016, 2018 (jointly with Pakistan), 2023 and 2024. The hosts will be looking to extend their dominance in front of their home fans in Punjab.

“The announcement of the fixture adds to the excitement for the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026. We are delighted to welcome teams from across Asia to Punjab and look forward to witnessing some quality hockey,” Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey said.

Hockey India General Secretary Bhola Nath Singh added, “With the schedule now announced, the countdown to Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 has truly begun.”

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