Punjab’s ₹1,743 Crore Sports Budget: Where Is the Money Going? Full Breakdown

Chandigarh, September 15, 2026: Punjab has announced a historic ₹1,743-crore sports budget for the current financial year, marking a major expansion of the state’s spending on sports infrastructure, grassroots programmes and athlete support.

The announcement comes as Punjab prepares to host the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 in Jalandhar and Mohali. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has described the increased allocation as part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen Punjab’s sporting ecosystem.

₹1,743 Crore: What Is the Money Being Used For?

One of the biggest components highlighted by the government is the development of rural sports infrastructure.

₹1,500 Crore for Rural Sports Grounds

The government says around ₹1,500 crore has been earmarked for developing approximately 3,100 modern rural sports grounds across Punjab.

More than 700 grounds have already been inaugurated, according to recent government statements, with the aim of providing young people in villages with better facilities for sports and physical activity.

The programme is being positioned not only as a sports initiative but also as part of Punjab's campaign encouraging young people to stay away from drugs and participate in sports.

600 Rural Gyms Also in the Plan

The government's sports push also includes hundreds of rural gyms, intended to expand access to fitness facilities beyond major cities.

The emphasis is on creating sports infrastructure closer to where young people live, rather than concentrating facilities only in established sporting centres.

More Financial Support for Athletes

The increased sports allocation also comes with a stronger focus on direct financial assistance to athletes.

According to the Chief Minister, under the state's sports policy:

₹15 lakh assistance is provided to athletes preparing for the Olympics.
₹8 lakh assistance is provided to athletes preparing for the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
Since 2022, more than 40,000 sportspersons have received cash awards totalling around ₹135 crore.

The government has also announced substantial rewards for Olympic medal winners, including ₹3 crore for gold, ₹2 crore for silver and ₹1 crore for bronze.

Asian Champions Trophy Gets Separate ₹25.40 Crore Allocation

Punjab's record sports spending is also being showcased through major international events.

The state has separately sanctioned ₹25.40 crore for organising the Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2026, which Punjab will host for the first time.

Of this amount, approximately ₹22.96 crore is earmarked for upgrading the two main hockey venues:

₹14 crore — Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, Jalandhar
₹8.96 crore — Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium, Mohali

The tournament will run from October 27 to November 5, with the league stage in Jalandhar and the semi-finals and final in Mohali.

India-Pakistan Hockey Clash in Jalandhar

The tournament will also bring one of Asian hockey's biggest rivalries to Punjab.

India will face Pakistan in Jalandhar on November 1, coinciding with Punjab Day. Six teams — India, Pakistan, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and China — are scheduled to participate.

The Punjab government has announced that spectators will be able to watch the tournament without paying an entry fee.

Why the ₹1,743 Crore Budget Matters

Punjab has historically been one of India's strongest sporting states, particularly in hockey. The government says the enlarged allocation is intended to build a pipeline from village-level participation to elite international competition.

The strategy broadly combines:

Grassroots infrastructure → Athlete training → Financial incentives → International events → Talent development

The government's challenge, however, will be ensuring that the large allocation translates into functional facilities, regular coaching, equipment, athlete development and measurable sporting results across the state.

It is also important to distinguish the ₹1,743-crore overall sports allocation from individual projects. For example, the ₹1,500 crore rural-ground programme and ₹25.40 crore Asian Champions Trophy allocation are specific components/initiatives rather than separate additions that should simply be added on top of the total sports budget.

Punjab's Bigger Sporting Ambition

The government has indicated that the Asian Champions Trophy is only one part of its larger sports strategy. Punjab also wants to strengthen its case for hosting major international competitions in the future, including matches associated with India's 2030 Hockey World Cup.

The success of that strategy will ultimately depend on how effectively the record allocation is converted into better sporting facilities, stronger coaching systems and more opportunities for Punjab's young athletes.