Hockey India offers free entry for men's Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026
Synopsis
Hockey India is throwing open the gates — literally. All 20 matches of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, spread across Jalandhar and Mohali from 27 October to 5 November, will be free for spectators. With India facing Bangladesh, China, Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea in the league stage, the free-entry initiative could turn this into one of the best-attended hockey events Punjab has seen in years.
Key Takeaways
Hockey India has announced free entry for all spectators at the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 .
The tournament runs from 27 October to 5 November 2026 , featuring 20 matches across Jalandhar and Mohali .
Complimentary digital passes with QR codes are available via the Ticketgenie website and mobile app.
India play their first match against Bangladesh on 27 October , with further league ties against China, Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea.
Semi-finals and medal matches will be held at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium, Mohali on 4 and 5 November .
Hockey India has announced complimentary entry for all spectators at the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, giving fans across the country a chance to watch Asia's top hockey nations compete live in Jalandhar and Mohali from 27 October to 5 November 2026. The move, aimed at deepening grassroots engagement in a state synonymous with Indian hockey, covers all 20 matches of the tournament.
Venues and Match Schedule
The tournament will be split across two iconic venues: the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar and the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali. All league-stage matches will be held in Jalandhar from 27 October to 2 November, while the semi-finals and medal matches shift to Mohali on 4 and 5 November.
How to Claim Free Entry Passes
Fans can register for complimentary passes through the Ticketgenie website or its mobile application. After registration, supporters can select their preferred fixtures and receive a digital pass with a QR code, which must be scanned at the venue gate for admission. The process is designed to be accessible to first-time digital users as well as regular fans.
What Hockey India Officials Said
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said the decision was driven by a desire to fill the stands and reconnect supporters with elite-level competition. 'By making entry free for the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, we hope to bring more supporters to the stands and give them an opportunity to experience the excitement of top-level international hockey,' he said.
Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh emphasised the cultural resonance of the initiative. 'Hockey has always enjoyed a special place in Punjab, and we want fans to be part of this celebration of the sport. Our objective is to make hockey more accessible and bring fans closer to the game. Free entry at the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 is a step in that direction, allowing families, young players and hockey enthusiasts to witness Asia's best teams compete in Jalandhar and Mohali,' Singh said.
India's Campaign at the Tournament
India open their campaign against Bangladesh on 27 October, followed by fixtures against China on 29 October, Japan on 30 October, Malaysia on 1 November, and South Korea on 2 November. A strong home crowd, particularly in Punjab — the nursery of Indian hockey — could provide a significant boost to the team's prospects in the knockout rounds.
Why This Initiative Matters
Punjab has produced some of India's greatest hockey legends, including Olympian Surjit Singh and Olympian Balbir Singh Sr, after whom the two host stadiums are named. Making elite international hockey free-to-attend is a direct attempt to rekindle that connection between communities and the sport, particularly for young players who may otherwise lack access. This comes amid broader efforts by Hockey India to grow live attendance at domestic and international events, where footfalls have historically trailed the sport's television popularity.
Point of View
But it also reveals an underlying challenge: elite hockey in India still struggles to draw paying audiences at scale. The Ticketgenie pass system adds a useful data layer — Hockey India will know exactly who is attending and which fixtures draw the most interest — but the real test is whether these stands remain full when the novelty wears off. Punjab's hockey identity is more historical than active in terms of live spectatorship; this initiative is as much a cultural re-engagement exercise as a ticketing policy. If it works, expect the free-entry model to be replicated at future domestic events.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How can fans get free entry passes for the Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026?
Fans can register on the Ticketgenie website or its mobile application, select their preferred matches, and receive a digital pass with a QR code to be scanned at the venue gate. The passes are fully complimentary for all 20 matches of the tournament.
Where will the Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 be held?
The tournament is split across two venues in Punjab — the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar (league stage, 27 October to 2 November) and the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali (semi-finals and medal matches, 4 and 5 November 2026).
Which teams are participating in the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026?
The tournament features Asia's leading hockey nations. India's confirmed league-stage opponents are Bangladesh, China, Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea. Six teams in total compete across the 20-match schedule.
When does India play their first match at the Asian Champions Trophy 2026?
India open their campaign against Bangladesh on 27 October 2026 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar. Their full league schedule runs through to 2 November.
Why has Hockey India made entry free for this tournament?
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey stated the decision aims to bring more supporters into the stands and give them direct exposure to top-level international hockey. The initiative is also intended to honour Punjab's deep-rooted hockey tradition and make the sport accessible to families, young players, and enthusiasts who might otherwise not attend.
