India will begin its Asian Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh as the ninth edition of the men's continental tournament opens at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar. The competition brings together India, Malaysia, China, Japan, South Korea and Bangladesh for a league phase featuring three matches on each playing day.
Malaysia face China and Japan meet South Korea in the day's other fixtures before India's evening match under floodlights. Jalandhar will host the opening ceremony and league programme through 2 November, giving Punjab its first major continental hockey tournament of this scale.
The decisive stage will move to the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali, where the semi-finals and final are scheduled for 4 and 5 November. Entry at both venues is free, widening public access to the tournament across its two host cities.
Akashvani plans live radio commentary for India's matches as well as the semi-finals and final. For the competing teams, the league schedule will test consistency before the short knockout phase determines the continental champion.
