The Indian Army will host the first-ever International Military Adventure Challenge Cup (IMACC) 2026 between the 18th and 23rd of February in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. Defence Ministry said in a statement that the event will bring together military teams from India and friendly foreign countries for a week-long series of challenging adventure and endurance competitions. Teams from seven friendly foreign countries – Bhutan, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia, along with teams from the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) will take part in IMACC 2026. The event has been designed to test the essential qualities of a soldier, including physical fitness, mental resilience, teamwork, leadership and decision-making under pressure.

The competition will feature terrain-based challenges conducted in tough mountain conditions, closely reflecting the realities faced by soldiers during operations. International military sports have long played an important role in building trust and cooperation among armed forces worldwide under the banner of the International Military Sports Council (CISM), guided by the motto Friendship through Sport. India has been an active participant in this global tradition and has earlier hosted the 4th CISM Military World Games in 2007.