The India Hockey 360 Festival opened its doors in Chandigarh on July 31, 2026, marking the first large‑scale gathering dedicated to popularising ice hockey in a country where cricket has long reigned supreme.
A Festival of Firsts
Organised by Randip Janda in partnership with Tulsea Sports Marketing, the three‑day event received backing from the National Hockey League and the Vancouver Canucks, and it was held across the city’s indoor arenas from July 31 to August 2.
Participants enjoyed a try hockey session that introduced newcomers to the sport, a coaches’ summit that brought together local mentors, and a roller hockey clinic that showcased alternative ways to play, collectively attracting more than 800 attendees.
Grassroots Momentum
Harry Mahesh, an assistant coach with the Canucks’ AHL affiliate Abbotsford, travelled from Canada to share his expertise and to highlight the personal connection he feels to his parents’ homeland, using the platform to advocate for hockey’s dual appeal on and off the ice.
Mahesh’s presence was amplified by the praise of Harjinder Singh, secretary general of the Ice Hockey Association of India, who described the Canadian‑born coach as an inspiration for aspiring Indian players and a catalyst for the sport’s visibility.
Looking Ahead
The festival also served as a showcase for the NHL’s broader grassroots agenda, echoing earlier collaborations with athletes such as Hayley Wickenheiser and reinforcing the league’s commitment to nurturing talent beyond North America.
With the Indian national teams slated to enter the IIHF World Championships beginning in 2027, the event underscored a strategic timeline to improve rankings and embed hockey more deeply within Punjab’s diaspora communities, a region that has already produced a wave of Canadian‑based players.