Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2026: Schedule, Teams and What Changed After Pakistan’s Withdrawal

The Men’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2026 runs from 27 October to 5 November 2026 in Punjab, India. It features six teams, a simple round-robin format, and a final that should reward the most consistent side. The major change is that Pakistan, originally listed among the teams, have withdrawn, and Bangladesh have replaced them. This guide explains the revised schedule, the teams, and what the withdrawal changes, using only the facts announced by the organisers.

When and where it is played

League matches are played at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar from 27 October to 2 November. The tournament then moves to Mohali. Semi-finals are on 4 November at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium, and the bronze-medal match and final are on 5 November at the same venue. The opening ceremony is in Jalandhar on 27 October, shortly before the first match.

Jalandhar hosts the league phase, when the table takes form. Mohali hosts the sudden-death phase, when one poor day ends a title challenge.

The six teams

The revised teams are India, Japan, China, Malaysia, South Korea and Bangladesh. India are hosts and defending champions, having won in Chennai in 2023 and in Hulunbuir, China, in 2024. They are described by the organisers as five-time winners. Japan are known for speed and sharp passing, South Korea for fitness and structured defence, Malaysia for attacking skill, and China for steady improvement at continental level.

Bangladesh are the new team. They were named, along with Oman, as reserve teams when the dates were announced. When Pakistan withdrew, Bangladesh were invited to fill the vacant place and accepted. For Bangladesh, the value is not just extra matches. It is regular games against Asia’s best teams, and experience that is hard to gain anywhere else.

What happened with Pakistan

Pakistan were originally listed among the six teams, and a match against India on 1 November in Jalandhar had been scheduled. The Pakistan Hockey Federation then asked the Asian Hockey Federation either to move the tournament out of India or to stage Pakistan’s matches at a neutral venue. The federation cited the sensitive bilateral situation between Pakistan and India and concerns over the safety and dignity of players and officials.

Hockey India and the Asian Hockey Federation rejected the request and said the tournament would go ahead as scheduled at the designated venues. Pakistan then informed the federation that they would not travel under the existing arrangements. The schedule was revised without Pakistan, Bangladesh accepted the invitation, and the scheduled India-Pakistan match was scrapped. India will instead play Malaysia on 1 November.

This article reports those announced facts and does not judge the decision by either side. The practical effect for the tournament is clear: there are still six teams, the format is unchanged, and the final is still on 5 November in Mohali.

The format

The six teams play a single round robin. Each team plays five matches, one against every other team, and the top four qualify for the semi-finals. That format rewards consistency. A team can lose once and recover, but two poor results usually make qualification very difficult. Rest days are scheduled on 28 October, 31 October and 3 November, giving players time to recover and coaches time to prepare.

India’s league fixtures, all at 7pm Indian time in Jalandhar, are: 27 October against Bangladesh, 29 October against China, 30 October against Japan, 1 November against Malaysia, and 2 November against South Korea. The opener matters because it follows the opening ceremony and is played before a home crowd. Bangladesh have nothing to lose, which can make an opening match awkward for a favourite. The closing fixtures look hardest on paper, with Japan and South Korea both capable of beating anyone on their day.

What to watch

First, watch squad rotation. With five league matches in seven days, no team can play its strongest side for every minute. Coaches must protect key penalty-corner takers and keep goalkeepers fresh. The teams that rotate best often look strongest in the semi-finals.

Second, watch penalty corners. A large share of goals in modern hockey come from penalty corners, and a reliable drag-flicker is a clear advantage in close matches. Third, watch Bangladesh. They are not favourites, but if they take points from a contender, they can change the semi-final race. Finally, watch the battle for fourth place. The fourth semi-final spot is often open, and a head-to-head result between China and Malaysia could prove decisive.

Conclusion

The Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2026 will be played from 27 October to 5 November in Jalandhar and Mohali, with India, Japan, China, Malaysia, South Korea and Bangladesh. Pakistan withdrew after a request for a neutral venue was rejected, Bangladesh replaced them, and India will play Malaysia on 1 November instead of Pakistan. The format, venues and final date are unchanged. An India-Pakistan match is a great fixture, and its absence is a loss for fans, but the tournament remains a major continental event, and the final in Mohali will reward the most consistent team across the week.

FAQs

When is the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2026?
It runs from 27 October to 5 November 2026, with league matches in Jalandhar and semi-finals and the final in Mohali.

Which teams are playing?
India, Japan, China, Malaysia, South Korea and Bangladesh.

Why is Pakistan not playing?
Pakistan withdrew after the Asian Hockey Federation and Hockey India rejected a request to move the tournament or stage Pakistan’s matches at a neutral venue. Bangladesh, a reserve team, accepted the invitation to replace them.

When is the final?
The final is scheduled for 5 November 2026 at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali.