Scheduled to take place from August 1 to 6, 2026, at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Stadium in Leh, the Challengers' Cup aims to unite emerging ice hockey talents from Ladakh and Spiti.

The tournament will showcase established teams like the Indian Army Ice Hockey Team and the Central Ice Hockey Team ITBP, alongside three newly formed regional teams: Leh Kings, Kargil Warriors, and Spiti Titans. Players for these teams will be selected from the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League and the Spiti Cup, as stated in a recent press release.

This inaugural event will highlight local talent, including:

* Leh Kings: Captained by Karma Rigyal Stein, who led Kangs Sing to victory in Season 3, and featuring former Tournament MVP Mushtaque Ahmad Giri.

* Kargil Warriors: Includes Waseem Bilal, last season's top scorer and assistant captain, along with Sajjad Hussain, captain of the runner-up Purig Warriors.

* Spiti Titans: Led by Tanzin Dorje from the Pin Zone, who was the second-highest scorer in the recent Spiti Cup.

The round-robin format of the tournament will incorporate dedicated training sessions for civilian teams, culminating in the championship match on August 6, 2026.

Vigyat Singh, Director of the Eicher Group Foundation, expressed, "The Challengers' Cup represents our ongoing commitment to enhancing the Ice Hockey landscape in the Himalayas. The sport has flourished thanks to the dedication of local players, coaches, and communities. This initiative aims to further this momentum by providing more competitive opportunities and year-round development programs. Hosting the tournament in August also signifies the sport's evolution beyond the winter season, and we are dedicated to supporting this journey and the local community."

By competing against established teams like the Indian Army and ITBP, these players will gain essential competitive experience while continuing their growth in a structured setting. The Challengers' Cup is part of Royal Enfield's comprehensive year-round Ice Hockey program, showcasing how the newly opened all-season artificial ice rink in Leh can facilitate regular training, competitions, and community involvement throughout the year.

This initiative builds on the ongoing development of Royal Enfield's Ice Hockey program in Ladakh. Last season, events supported by Royal Enfield attracted over 34,000 community members, highlighting the increasing interest in the sport across the region.

Over three seasons, the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League has emerged as one of India's most dynamic community-driven sports platforms, nurturing grassroots talent from various regions including Leh, Kargil, Nubra, Sham, Shakar Chiktan, Zanskar, Changthang, and Lahaul & Spiti.

Collaborating closely with the Ice Hockey Associations of Ladakh and Lahaul & Spiti, along with local communities, Royal Enfield Social Mission is committed to fostering a sustainable, grassroots sports ecosystem that empowers Himalayan athletes on both national and international stages.