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Hockey India has announced free entry for spectators at all 20 matches of the Men’s Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, giving fans an opportunity to watch international hockey in Jalandhar and Mohali without paying an admission fee. The ninth edition of the tournament is scheduled for October 27 to November 5, with supporters required to register for digital entry passes before attending.
The organisers will stage the league phase at Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, while the semi-finals and medal matches will be played at Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali. The decision is intended to encourage attendance and bring families, young players and hockey followers closer to the sport.
According to Hockey India’s announcement on October 20, spectators can secure free passes through Ticketgenie, the federation’s online ticketing partner. Fans can visit the Ticketgenie website or use its mobile application, register, select the fixtures they wish to attend and receive a digital pass containing a QR code.
The QR code must be scanned at the venue for entry. Spectators should therefore complete the registration process in advance and keep their digital pass available on arrival. Since free entry is linked to a pass system, fans should not assume they can simply arrive without checking the registration process or the availability of passes for their chosen match.
The official registration page is available at Ticketgenie’s Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 event page. Fans should use the organiser-linked registration channel for the latest instructions and match selection details.
The tournament will be staged across two stadiums in Punjab. Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar will host the opening ceremony and all league-stage matches from October 27 to November 2. The competition will then move to Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali for the semi-finals on November 4 and the final and other medal matches on November 5.
The split gives Jalandhar the full round-robin phase, while Mohali will host the decisive matches that determine the final standings. Across both venues, organisers have scheduled 20 matches in the men’s continental competition.
The return of international hockey to Punjab is a major part of the event’s local significance. The state has a deep connection to the sport, and the free-entry decision gives local supporters and aspiring players a chance to see national teams compete in person.
India begin their campaign against Bangladesh on October 27. The team’s remaining league fixtures are against China on October 29, Japan on October 30, Malaysia on November 1 and South Korea on November 2. Each match will be an opportunity for the host side to build momentum before the knockout stage, with the league results determining progression to the semi-finals.
Fans planning to attend more than one India fixture can use the registration platform to select the matches they want to watch. Dates and access instructions should be checked again closer to each game in case the organiser issues updates.
Free admission removes the ticket price as a barrier for people who want to attend, though spectators still need to follow the digital pass process. For young hockey players, school groups and families, the tournament offers a chance to watch international-level play and experience the pace and tactical demands of the sport from the stands.
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey said the federation hoped the decision would bring more supporters into the stands and allow them to experience top-level international hockey. Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh also expressed the hope that the two venues would see strong crowds, pointing to hockey’s special place in Punjab and the aim of making the game more accessible.
The policy is also a practical opportunity to build an atmosphere around the tournament. Large crowds can help create a strong home setting for India while exposing younger audiences to the sport and encouraging continued interest beyond the event itself.
The main details are straightforward: the tournament runs from October 27 to November 5, the league stage is in Jalandhar, and the semi-finals and medal matches are in Mohali. Entry is free, but spectators should register with Ticketgenie, select their preferred matches and keep the QR-code pass ready for scanning at the stadium.
With 20 matches across two venues, the championship gives Punjab hockey fans several chances to watch the continent’s teams in action. The free-pass arrangement is designed to make those opportunities more accessible while keeping entry organised through digital registration.
