India targets continental dominance on home turf for the upcoming Hero Asian Championship

After winning and defending gold medal at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan, the Indian men’s hockey squad is refocusing on its next major campaign. Defending the Asian Games title was a first for the national team, which injected an immense confidence into the roster. Now, Jalandhar and Mohali will jointly host the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 from October 27 to November 5. Six top continental teams will compete for supremacy on Indian soil. Joining the host nation in this prestigious event are Japan, China, Malaysia, South Korea, and Bangladesh.

International action returns to Punjab

Bringing high-level international matches back to Punjab holds special significance given the region's due to its deep-rooted passion for the game. League fixtures are officially scheduled to take place at Jalandhar’s Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium. Following these critical early matchups, the tournament will transition to Mohali’s Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium. This venue will host the semi-finals and the grand finale, bringing the regional competition to an exciting climax. Chief Coach Craig Fulton emphasises that his squad must rapidly move past their recent gold medal celebrations. He explicitly stated that competing at home presents an entirely fresh challenge. Fulton demands that his players bring in the same hunger, discipline, and high intensity to every single match on the schedule. Building on their recent success in Japan requires grounded focus rather than resting on past accomplishments.

Indian team has controlled this specific event since its initial launch in 2011. They currently hold the record as the most successful participating nation with four outright championships. Furthermore, they shared the gold with Pakistan during the 2018 edition in Muscat, Oman, after severe rain washed out the final match. Entering the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, the team aims to extend this exceptional record. They want to capture another trophy while performing in front of their dedicated domestic supporters.

Image courtesy: Asian Hockey Federation