India to Host Pakistan on November 1 in Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2026
India is set to host arch-rivals Pakistan in a thrilling Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2026 hockey match on November 1 in Jalandhar. The prestigious international tournament, featuring six top Asian nations including Japan, Malaysia, China, and South Korea, will run from October 27 to November 5 across Punjab.
In a significant announcement for hockey enthusiasts, India is set to host the prestigious Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2026, with the much-anticipated encounter against arch-rivals Pakistan slated for November 1. The international tournament, confirmed by Hockey India, will unfold across venues in Punjab from October 27 to November 5, marking a major event in the regional hockey calendar. India Wins Hockey Junior Men’s Asia Cup 2026: Men in Blue Qualify for FIH Junior World Cup.
India to Host Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2026
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Punjab, Shri Bhagwant Mann, made an official announcement in Mohali on Monday about the dates of AHF Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026, which will be hosted in Mohali & Jalandhar from October 27 to November 5. Also present on the occasion were Hockey… pic.twitter.com/J8gwRXEYKN
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) September 14, 2026
The India-Pakistan match, a fixture that always draws immense interest, will be held in Jalandhar, coinciding with the celebration of Punjab Day. The tournament's inauguration is scheduled for October 27 at 2:30 PM IST in Jalandhar, while the semifinals and final will culminate in Mohali on November 5. Six top Asian teams—India, Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia, China, and South Korea—are confirmed participants, with Oman and Bangladesh listed as reserve teams.
India's Dominant Form and Head-to-Head
India enters the tournament with a formidable record, especially against Pakistan. The Indian men's hockey team has been unbeaten against their arch-rivals in senior international matches since 2016, a decade-long streak. This dominance was recently underscored in the FIH Pro League 2025-26 season, where India secured victories of 4-3 (June 23, 2026) and a commanding 7-1 (June 26, 2026) against Pakistan in London, UK. Furthermore, India triumphed over Pakistan with a 5-3 scoreline during the group stages of the Hockey World Cup 2026 on August 19 in Amstelveen, Netherlands, securing their passage to the second round while eliminating Pakistan.
Overall, India has won 17 of their 19 completed matches against Pakistan since 2016, with two encounters ending in draws.
India also clinched the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy title, defeating China 1-0 in the final in Hulunbuir, China. Indian Hockey Team to Return to Iconic Blue Jersey for Asian Games 2026 After Saffron Kit Controversy.
Tournament Details
The 2026 Men's Asian Champions Trophy promises ten days of intense field hockey action. League matches will be primarily played in Jalandhar, providing local fans with an opportunity to witness top-tier international hockey. Mohali will then take over as the host for the crucial knockout stages, including the semifinals and the grand final. Punjab's Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann extended the invitation to Pakistan, highlighting the strong bonds shared between players from both nations.
The upcoming tournament in Punjab promises to be a spectacular showcase of Asian hockey, with the India-Pakistan match undoubtedly being the centerpiece event, offering fans another thrilling chapter in this storied rivalry.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 14, 2026 04:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
