CM Bhagwant Mann flags off Asian Champions Trophy 2026 in Jalandhar
Synopsis
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann marked the inauguration of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2026 at Surjit Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar on 27 October — the first time the continental tournament has been held on Punjab soil, a milestone he called a matter of great pride.
Key Takeaways
The Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2026 opened on 27 October 2026 at Surjit Hockey Stadium, Burlton Park, Jalandhar .
This is the first time the Asian Champions Trophy has been hosted in Punjab.
CM Bhagwant Mann called the event 'a matter of great pride' for Punjab and extended wishes to all participating teams.
The Asian Champions Trophy has been staged annually by the Asian Hockey Federation since 2011 .
Surjit Hockey Stadium is named after celebrated Indian defender Surjit Singh , a Jalandhar native.
Punjab has historically produced a large share of India's national hockey players and continues to invest in hockey infrastructure.
International hockey returned to Punjab's heartland on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, as the Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2026 opened at the Surjit Hockey Stadium, Burlton Park, Jalandhar — marking the first time the continent's premier club-nation hockey tournament has been staged on Punjab soil. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann celebrated the occasion on X, calling it 'a matter of great pride for all of us.'
A landmark moment for Jalandhar and Punjab hockey
The choice of Jalandhar carries unmistakable symbolism. The city has spent decades as India's hockey-equipment manufacturing capital and as a nursery for national-team talent, yet it had never before hosted the Asian Champions Trophy — an annual field hockey tournament organised by the Asian Hockey Federation since 2011. That gap closes this week. Mann's post, which drew on the revolutionary salute 'Inquilab Zindabad' (Long live the revolution), framed the inauguration as a moment of collective pride, not merely a government achievement.
The venue itself carries its own story. Surjit Hockey Stadium is named after the legendary Indian defender Surjit Singh, a son of Jalandhar who represented the nation in the 1960s and 1970s. Hosting an Asian Champions Trophy at a ground bearing his name threads the living tournament into decades of Punjab's hockey memory.
Punjab's long hockey arc — and a state's push to revive it
Punjab has historically provided a disproportionate share of India's national hockey squads, and successive state governments have upgraded Jalandhar's facilities to match that legacy. The current Mann administration, in power since March 2022, has signalled continuing investment in sports infrastructure. Bringing an international tournament of this scale to the state is a visible demonstration of that commitment — and a direct pitch to young players watching the matches at home.
Mann extended best wishes to all participating teams and expressed hope that fans would witness 'outstanding hockey matches in the coming days.' Attendance figures and on-field results over the tournament's run will be the clearest measure of whether the event succeeds in reigniting grassroots passion for the sport.
Point of View
Staging a high-visibility international event in Punjab strengthens its narrative of governance delivery ahead of future electoral cycles. The choice of Jalandhar — India's hockey-equipment hub and a city with deep sporting roots — is calculated, not incidental. Whether the government follows through with promised academy funding and grassroots programme expansion will determine whether this tournament is a milestone or a marquee photo-opportunity.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 being held?
The Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2026 is being held at Surjit Hockey Stadium in Burlton Park, Jalandhar, Punjab.
Is this the first time the Asian Champions Trophy is in Punjab?
Yes, according to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, this is the first time the Asian Champions Trophy is being hosted on Punjab soil.
Who is Surjit Hockey Stadium named after?
Surjit Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar is named after former Indian hockey defender Surjit Singh, who represented India in the 1960s and 1970s.
What is the Asian Champions Trophy in hockey?
The Asian Champions Trophy is an annual field hockey tournament for Asian national teams, organised by the Asian Hockey Federation since 2011.
What did Bhagwant Mann say about the Asian Champions Trophy 2026?
CM Bhagwant Mann said hosting the international hockey tournament on Punjab soil for the first time is 'a matter of great pride,' extended best wishes to all participating teams, and expressed hope that spectators would witness outstanding hockey.
