Rourkela: India is set to uphold its legacy of hosting international hockey competitions, with the men's Asia Cup scheduled to take place in Rajgir, Bihar from August 27 to September 7, followed by the junior men's World Cup in Chennai in December, with specific dates yet to be announced.

"The locations for these two international tournaments have been confirmed. Our planning is focused on the World Cup qualification, as well as the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics," stated Bhola Nath Singh, the secretary general of Hockey India.

The eight-team Asia Cup holds significant importance for the Indian team, coached by Craig Fulton, as the champion will secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. Given India's recent performance, having secured bronze medals at the last two Olympic Games, this presents a prime opportunity for the team to achieve a podium finish for the first time in 51 years. India's sole World Cup victory occurred in 1975, when the team, led by Ajit Pal Singh, triumphed over Pakistan in the final.

India qualified automatically as hosts for the previous two World Cups in 2018 and 2023, which diminished the significance of the 2017 and 2022 Asia Cups. In the last edition, a secondary Indian team claimed bronze in Jakarta 2022, where South Korea emerged victorious.

This will mark the first occasion since Chennai 2007 that India will host the continental tournament. Rajgir previously hosted the women's Asian Champions Trophy in November.

The junior World Cup will be held in India for the fourth time, following the U-21 tournaments in New Delhi in 2013, Lucknow in 2016, and Bhubaneswar in 2021.

The most recent edition took place in Kuala Lumpur in 2023, with Germany securing the title. Notably, the 2025 event will feature 24 teams for the first time, expanding the participant count from 16.

Bhola Nath also confirmed that, aside from the Pro League, no international women's tournaments are planned in India for this year.

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