Jalandhar's rich hockey heritage takes centre stage at Asian Champions Trophy 2026

Jalandhar, a city with a long association with Indian hockey, will host the league-stage matches of the  Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium from October 27 to November 2.

The tournament, scheduled from 27 October to 5 November, will bring some of Asia’s leading hockey nations to Punjab.

While Jalandhar will host the league-stage fixtures, the semi-finals and medal matches will be held at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali on 4 and 5 November.

Speciality Of Jalandhar Stadium

Located at Burlton Park, the Jalandhar stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 7,000 spectators and has hosted several major hockey tournaments over the years. Named after Surjit Singh, a member of India’s 1975 World Cup-winning team, the venue holds a special place in the city’s sporting history.

The stadium’s legacy is closely linked to the Surjit Hockey Society, established in 1984. Through the Surjit Hockey Academy and the annual Surjit Memorial Hockey Tournament, the organisation has played an important role in promoting the sport and nurturing young talent.

Jalandhar's Contribution To Hockey

Jalandhar’s contribution to hockey extends well beyond the stadium. The surrounding villages have produced several players who have represented India at the highest level. Sansarpur, on the outskirts of the city, is renowned for producing numerous Olympians who represented India and Kenya at different editions of the Olympic Games.

Mithapur, another village with a strong hockey tradition, has produced former India captain Pargat Singh and current internationals Manpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh, among other notable players.

The Surjit Hockey Academy continues to support this tradition by providing aspiring players with structured training and opportunities to develop their skills. Six members of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 squad - Manpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Krishan Pathak, Dilpreet Singh and Jarmanpreet Singh - are products of the academy.

Jalandhar: Goods Manufacturing Centre

Apart from its contribution to hockey, Jalandhar is one of India’s major sports goods manufacturing centres. The industry began on a small scale in the late 1940s and grew over the following decades, with local manufacturers supplying equipment across the country and exporting products to international markets.

The city’s sporting culture and manufacturing industry have together helped strengthen its position in India’s sporting landscape. The upcoming tournament will give local fans an opportunity to watch international hockey while celebrating a tradition that has shaped generations of players.

For Jalandhar, hosting the league-stage matches is also an opportunity to bring younger audiences closer to the sport and reinforce the city’s place in Indian hockey. With a history rooted in its villages, academies and sporting institutions, the city remains an important part of Punjab’s hockey heritage.