Free Admission Announced for 2026 Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy
The 2026 Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy will offer free admission for all 20 matches to drive spectator attendance and expand the sport’s reach across the region, sports.khan.co.kr reported. The 9th edition of the tournament runs from October 27 to November 5 across Jalandhar and Mohali in Punjab, India. Fans can secure entry by completing an online registration to receive a QR code ticket, according to Hockey India.
Tournament Schedule and Format Across Punjab Venues
Six national teams compete in a round-robin group stage before advancing to the knockout rounds. The participating countries include host India, South Korea, Japan, China, Malaysia, and Bangladesh. Jalandhar hosts the opening group matches from October 27 to November 2. The tournament then shifts to Mohali for the semifinals and classification matches on November 4, followed by the bronze medal match and final on November 5.
The top four teams from the single-leg round-robin group phase advance to the semifinals. South Korea opens its tournament campaign against Japan on October 27. The Korean squad faces Malaysia on October 29, China on October 30, and Bangladesh on November 1. South Korea concludes group play against host India on November 2.
India Pursues Sixth Title Following Asian Games Success
Host India enters the competition as a dominant favorite after winning the men’s field hockey gold medal at the recent 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, securing consecutive titles. India holds the record for the most Asian Champions Trophy titles with five, and the team targets a sixth championship on home soil. Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey stated that the free admission initiative allows more fans to experience international hockey firsthand. Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh emphasized the cultural significance of hockey in the Punjab region and noted that the setup provides families and young players a chance to watch international competition up close.
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