Asian Games Hockey 2026 Schedule: Groups, Fixtures & IST Timings
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Asian Games Hockey 2026 Schedule
Defending champions India, captained by Harmanpreet Singh, chase LA 2028 Olympic qualification points while drawn away from arch-rivals Pakistan.
Hockey at the Asian Games 2026 is staged at a single venue in Gifu Prefecture from September 18 to October 3. India's men enter as defending champions, and the tournament doubles as a direct LA 2028 Olympic qualifier — with India deliberately kept apart from arch-rivals Pakistan until at least the semi-finals.
A Title Defence with Olympic Stakes
Hockey India has openly framed this tournament as a title defence built around the LA 2028 qualification prize on offer. Both men's and women's tournaments share the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium across more than two weeks — among the longest windows of any sport at these Games.
Schedule Snapshot
- Pool stage
- Sept 18–28, 2026
- Women's medal matches
- Oct 2, 2026
- Men's semi-finals
- Oct 1, 2026
- Men's medal matches
- Oct 3, 2026
Men's & Women's Pools
- India, Japan, South Korea
- Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia
- India, Japan, Thailand
- Singapore, Indonesia, Uzbekistan
Keeping India and Pakistan (Men's Pool B) in separate groups was a deliberate organisational call, meaning the two rivals can only clash in the semi-finals or a medal match.
Men's Squad, Led by Harmanpreet Singh
Harmanpreet Singh captains a 20-member squad built around India's core group from recent Olympic and Asia Cup campaigns: Mohith HS and Suraj Karkera in goal; Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh and Yashdeep Siwach anchoring defence; Hardik Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad powering midfield; Dilpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh leading the forward line.
Men's Pool-Stage Schedule
Defending Champions, Top Seed
India's men arrive as the reigning Asian Games gold medallist and the highest-ranked side among the twelve men's teams entered — the clear favourite in Pool A, though Olympic and World Cup-tested South Korea and Japan stand in the way of an easy run to the final.
Catch Every Match Live in India
Sony Pictures Networks India holds the exclusive rights for the entire 20th Asian Games. TV coverage runs on Sony Sports Network, with every match streaming on SonyLIV. Evening kick-off times for most confirmed men's matches make this a prime-time-friendly schedule for Indian viewers.
Asian Games Hockey 2026: Quick Answers
When does the hockey schedule start?
Competition runs September 18 to October 3, covering both men's and women's pool stages and knockout rounds.
Where is hockey being played?
All matches are held at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara, Japan.
Which pool is India in?
India's men are in Pool A with Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia; India's women are in Pool B with Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Uzbekistan.
Why aren't India and Pakistan grouped together?
The draw deliberately separated the men's teams, so they can only meet in the semi-finals or a medal match.
When is the hockey final?
The men's gold medal match is October 3, 2026, following the bronze match; the women's medal matches are October 2, 2026.
Where can I watch live?
Every match streams live on Sony Sports Network TV and the SonyLIV app.