‘No change’: Hockey India rejects Pakistan’s neutral venue request for Asian Champions Trophy

Hockey India has firmly rejected a request from Pakistan to move its matches at the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy to a neutral venue. The federation is not ready to entertain any such appeal and has urged the opponent side to follow the rules if they want to play in the tournament.

The federation has insisted that the tournament will proceed as planned in India. The men’s continental event is scheduled to take place in Mohali and Jalandhar, Punjab, from 27 October to 5 November 2026. Pakistan’s hockey federation had asked the Asian Hockey Federation either to shift the entire tournament or to stage Pakistan’s fixtures at a neutral location.

Hockey India rejects Pakistan’s neutral venue request for Asian Champions Trophy

The Pakistan federation has cited the sensitive bilateral situation between the two countries and concerns over security for its players and officials. However, Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh, who also serves as a vice-president of the Asian Hockey Federation, dismissed the proposal. According to PTI, Nath Singh said:

“No such request would be entertained. There will be no change in venue.”

Nath Singh added:

“In the past also Pakistan did this. If they want to play in the Asian Champions Trophy, they will have to come to India.”

Pakistan has maintained it remains ready to compete against all teams, including India, provided matches are held on neutral ground, and stressed its commitment to keeping sport separate from politics. It was revealed earlier that the PHF president Mohyuddin Ahmed had requested to either shift the tournament or relocate the country matches to a neutral venue, in a statement.

Should Pakistan decide not to travel, Hockey India has indicated that Bangladesh or Oman could be invited as replacements. The decision keeps the focus on the host venues in Punjab and underscores the longstanding challenges of staging bilateral sporting fixtures between the two nations.

ALSO READ: Hockey Drama: Pakistan refuse India travel for Asian Champions Trophy, demands neutral venue