Bhopal is ready to take centre stage in Asian hockey. Sports, Co-operation and Youth Welfare Minister Vishvas Kailash Sarang on Tuesday unveiled the official logo and trophy of the Madhya Pradesh Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Bhopal-2026 at TT Nagar Stadium and flagged off the trophy tour, marking the countdown to the city’s biggest international hockey event. Organised by the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh, in association with the Asian Hockey Federation

 

(AHF) and Hockey India, the tournament will be played from November 19 to 28, 2026, at the new hockey stadium in the International Sports Complex, Nathu Barkheda. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav and Union Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya will inaugurate the championship and the first phase of the complex. Six of Asia’s top teams, India, Japan, China, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand will compete, with around 150 players in action. Defending champions India will be chasing a hat-trick of titles after winning the last two editions. Entry will be free for spectators at the nearly 5,000-capacity stadium, and all matches will be played under floodlights in a day-night format, with three matches every day. The action begins on November 19 with China vs Thailand at 1 pm, followed by Japan vs South Korea at 3:15 pm. Hosts India open their campaign against Malaysia at 7 pm after the opening ceremony. India will then face South Korea on November 21,

 

Thailand on November 22, China on November 24 and Japan on November 25. The bronze-medal match and final will be played on November 28. The trophy tour will run from November 11 to 17, travelling from Bhopal to Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior, Chambal, Sagar, Rewa, Shahdol, Jabalpur and Narmadapuram, with rallies, awareness programmes and interactions involving students, youth and leading players. November has been dedicated to hockey, with a friendly match between the Indian team and the Madhya Pradesh Academy team, interaction sessions for academy and feeder-centre players, and tribal food and art stalls at the venue to showcase the state’s culture to international players and visitors. The tournament will be telecast live on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar.