Hockey India rejects Pakistan's request to move Asian Champions Trophy venue
On September 16, 2026, Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh told PTI he would not entertain Pakistan's request to change the venue for the 2026 Men's Asian Champions Trophy after Pakistan approached the Asian Hockey Federation seeking alterations to the tournament arrangements.
Pakistan have asked the AHF to either shift the tournament out of India or to move all of Pakistan’s matches to a neutral venue, the Pakistan Hockey Federation confirmed. PHF president Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani said in an official statement the federation had taken the step after considering the current sensitive relations between India and Pakistan. The PHF also cited concerns over the safety of the Pakistan contingent and said the request was aimed at ensuring a secure environment for players and support staff during the tournament.
Speaking to PTI, Bhola Nath said there will be no change in venue and the Pakistan team will have to travel to India to play in the tournament. "No such request would be entertained. There will be no change in venue. In the past also Pakistan did this, if they want to play in Asian Champions Trophy they will have to come to India," Bhola Nath told PTI.
Bhola Nath added that Bangladesh and Oman were lined up as backup sides and that one of them would take Pakistan's spot if they refused to travel to India. "We have two teams in Bangladesh and Oman who can take Pakistan's place," said Bhola Nath.
A senior Pakistan Hockey Federation official told PTI the national team had not yet received government clearance to travel to India, a position described as contrary to an earlier claim by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Mann had previously announced that Pakistan would participate in the Asian Champions Trophy alongside Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh and had maintained that India's sports policy permitted Pakistani teams to compete in multinational sporting events hosted in the country.
Pakistan have previously pulled out of tournaments hosted in India over security concerns: they withdrew from the FIH Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu last year and also opted out of the Asia Cup, citing similar concerns.
The 2026 Asian Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in Mohali from October 27 and is set to feature six teams: India, Pakistan, Malaysia, China, Japan and Korea. Hockey India has indicated that if Pakistan do not travel, a replacement will be named from the backup teams.