The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash at the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026 is set to be played in front of a packed house, with all tickets for Wednesday’s Pool D encounter at the 10,000-capacity Wagener Stadium sold out.
The fixture has generated significant interest among Indian and Pakistani communities in the Netherlands, underlining the enduring appeal of one of international hockey’s most historic rivalries.
The 2026 World Cup is being co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium, with India’s men’s Pool D matches being played at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen.
According to Tamara Bouwmans, communication officer of the Royal Dutch Hockey Association (KNHB), tickets for the tournament have been released in phases since September 2025.
“Tickets were sold online from September 2025. We have sold them in phases, with the first phase in September and the next one in March this year,” Bouwmans told PTI.
Ticket prices were offered across multiple categories, with South Stand tickets for non-Dutch matches starting at 35 euros, while a covered Main Stand day ticket cost 57 euros. Hospitality packages were priced at 251.34 euros.
The demand for the India-Pakistan fixture has been particularly strong among the Indian diaspora. Anjana Pabbi, who has lived in the Netherlands for eight years, was among those hoping to attend the match with her family.
“I wanted to watch the India-Pakistan match with my family, but tickets are not available. This is the first time the Indian team is playing a World Cup here, so we were really excited,” Pabbi said.
“We will now watch it on TV and cheer for Harmanpreet Singh and the team,” she added.
The Wagener Stadium has already witnessed strong crowds during the tournament, including sell-outs for matches involving co-hosts and defending champions the Netherlands.
The India-Pakistan fixture carries added significance in Pool D, with both teams looking to strengthen their position in the competition. India began their campaign with a 3-1 win over Wales, while Pakistan suffered a 1-4 defeat to England in their opening match. India subsequently lost to England, making Wednesday’s rivalry clash particularly important for their knockout hopes.