Hockey India Announces Free Entry For Women's Asian Champions Trophy In Bhopal

Hockey India has announced free entry for spectators at the Madhya Pradesh Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2026, scheduled to be held at the International Sports Complex in Nathu Barkheda, Bhopal, from November 19 to 28.

The ninth edition of the continental tournament will feature 20 matches, with six teams competing for the title. League-stage matches will take place from November 19 to 25, followed by the semi-finals on November 27 and the medal matches on November 28.

Event details and opening

Madhya Pradesh sports minister Vishvas Sarang unveiled the official logo and trophy and flagged off a statewide Trophy Tour at TT Nagar Stadium.

The tour will travel through all divisions of the state, including Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior, Chambal, Sagar, Rewa, Shahdol, Jabalpur, and Narmadapuram from November 11 to 17, where local ministers, MPs, and MLAs will join student rallies and awareness initiatives.

The tournament will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who will also dedicate the first phase of Bhopal International Sports Complex to the public.

Organised by the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare in collaboration with the Asian Hockey Federation and Hockey India, the marquee tournament will take place at the newly constructed International Sports Complex in Barkhedi Nathu.

Teams and players

Approximately 150 top-tier players representing six premier Asian teams - India, Japan, China, Malaysia, Korea, and Thailand - will feature in the event. To maximise public engagement, entry will be free for all spectators at the 5,000-capacity, state-of-the-art venue.

Fans can obtain free entry passes through the Ticketgenie website or its mobile application. After registering, spectators can select their preferred matches from the available fixtures and receive a digital entry pass containing a QR code, which will be scanned at the venue for admission.

Officials' comments

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said making entry free for fans is a great way to bring the people of Bhopal closer to international women's hockey.

He said the initiative aims to bring more spectators closer to international women's hockey while encouraging greater participation and interest in the sport.

Hockey India secretary general and Asian Hockey Federation vice-president Bhola Nath Singh said he was delighted to make all matches of this prestigious tournament accessible to fans without any entry fee, adding that Bhopal has an opportunity to witness some of Asia's finest women hockey players in action.

India's fixtures and what happens next

India will begin their campaign against Malaysia on November 19 before taking on South Korea on November 21 and Thailand on November 22. The hosts will then face China on November 24 before concluding their league-stage campaign against Japan on November 25. The semi-finals will take place on November 27 and the medal matches on November 28.

India's league-stage fixtures

Related on Apex Sports News

• Women's Asian Champions Trophy returns to Bhopal from November 19

• Salima Tete to lead India as Savita Punia rested for Women’s Asian Champions Trophy

• Sanjay to lead India hockey team on New Zealand tour

Sources

• ianslive.in

• centralchronicle.com