Hero Asia Cup 2025: Revised Schedule Announced

The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) has revealed the updated match schedule for the Hero Asia Cup Rajgir Bihar 2025, set to be held in Bihar, India, from August 29 to September 7.

This announcement follows the withdrawals of Pakistan and Oman, leading to a revised schedule and the inclusion of Kazakhstan and Bangladesh as their replacements.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has yet to release any formal communication regarding their withdrawal from the event.

Tournament Significance

This year’s continental championship is a significant event as it will determine the top hockey team in Asia and also serve as a qualifying tournament for the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium–Netherlands 2026. The team that wins the tournament will automatically qualify for the World Cup.

Opening Matches

The tournament is scheduled to commence on August 29. The defending champions, Korea, will begin their title defense against Chinese Taipei at 11:00. Following this, host nation India will compete against China at 15:00, with a large home crowd anticipated to be in attendance.

Tournament Structure

The participating teams have been divided into two pools. After the initial pool stage, the leading teams will advance to the Super4s. The competition will culminate in the final match on September 7, where the winner will be awarded the Hero Asia Cup Trophy and secure Asia’s spot in the 2026 Hockey World Cup.

AHF President’s Remarks

Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) President Fumio Ogura shared his anticipation for the upcoming tournament.

Quote from Fumio Ogura:

“The Hero Asia Cup Rajgir Bihar 2025 will showcase the pinnacle of Asian hockey talent. With a World Cup qualification place at stake, each game will be crucially important. We are confident that this tournament will deliver exciting competition, inspire countless fans, and create a lasting impact on hockey in Asia.”

Event Expectations

The Hero Asia Cup 2025 is set to deliver ten days of high-quality hockey, as Asia’s best teams compete for continental dominance and a chance to compete on the global stage.