Free Entry Announced for Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026

Hockey India has announced free entry for all 20 matches of the Men’s Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, with spectators able to secure digital passes for the tournament in Jalandhar and Mohali.

The ninth edition of the continental competition will run from October 27 to November 5. Fans must register through TicketGenie, Hockey India’s ticketing partner, select the matches they intend to attend and present the QR code on their digital pass at entry.

The move removes ticket costs across the full schedule and is intended to make international hockey more accessible to supporters in Punjab. It also provides a clear advance-registration process for fans planning to attend matches at the two host stadiums.

How free entry will work across the tournament

All matches will be available to attend without charge, but entry will be managed through digital passes rather than walk-up ticket sales. Supporters are required to register via TicketGenie and choose the fixtures they want to watch before arriving at the venue.

The Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar will host the opening ceremony as well as every league-stage match. The Jalandhar leg is scheduled from October 27 through November 2, covering the first phase of the tournament.

The competition will then move to the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali. The semi-finals are set for November 4, followed by the medal matches on November 5.

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said the free-entry decision was designed to increase spectator turnout and allow more people to watch top-level international hockey. “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,” Tirkey said.

Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh also said the initiative could help bring families, young players and hockey supporters to the two venues during the event.

India schedule begins against Bangladesh

India will begin its campaign against Bangladesh on October 27 in Jalandhar. The defending champions will remain in Jalandhar for their other league fixtures, facing China on October 29, Japan on October 30, Malaysia on November 1 and South Korea on November 2.

Those five league matches form India’s route through the opening stage before the tournament shifts to Mohali for the knockout and medal rounds. The schedule gives fans in Jalandhar the opportunity to follow the entire league programme, while Mohali will stage the decisive final two days.

The event represents the return of international hockey to Punjab, a state with a long-standing connection to the sport. By combining no-cost admission with advance digital registration, Hockey India is seeking to widen access to the tournament while organising attendance across both stadiums.

For supporters, the key requirement is to register for the relevant fixture through TicketGenie and retain the QR-code pass for entry. With all 20 matches included in the free-access initiative, fans can select fixtures throughout the league stage, semi-finals and medal matches.

Two Punjab venues set for every stage

Jalandhar will provide the setting for the tournament’s opening ceremony and league action, while Mohali will host the semi-finals and medal matches. The split schedule places the early competition and the closing stages at separate Punjab venues, with free digital entry available across the entire programme.

The announcement gives supporters a confirmed route to attend the Men’s Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 without ticket charges, subject to completing the required digital-pass registration for their chosen matches.