New Delhi, Oct 25 (NationPress) The Hockey India League (HIL) has officially announced the timetable for the 2025–26 season of both the Men’s and Women’s leagues this past Saturday, marking the dawn of an exhilarating new phase in India’s premier hockey tournament.

The schedule was unveiled during a press conference at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh AstroTurf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi.

This upcoming season will see the men’s league hosted in three pivotal cities: Chennai, Ranchi, and Bhubaneswar. The women’s league will also return to Ranchi, maintaining the successful structure from the previous year.

The men’s HIL is set to kick off on January 3, 2026, at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai, featuring an electrifying opener between the home team Tamil Nadu Dragons and Hyderabad Toofans, paving the way for nearly a month of elite hockey. The league comprises eight teams: Tamil Nadu Dragons, Hyderabad Toofans, JSW Soorma Hockey Club, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers (the defending champions), Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers, and the HIL Governing Council.

The women’s HIL will commence on December 28, 2025, at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium in Ranchi. The opening match will showcase Ranchi Royals against SG Pipers, followed by a week of fierce competition among the four teams: Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers, JSW Soorma Hockey Club, and Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers.

Men’s HIL format:

The men’s HIL 2025–26 will be hosted in three vibrant cities with a deep passion for hockey, celebrating the sport across the nation. The first segment kicks off in Chennai from January 3 to 9 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, where teams will initiate their campaigns. The tournament will then transition to Ranchi for its second segment, scheduled from January 11 to 16 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium. The final leg will take place from January 17 to 26 at the prestigious Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

Each team will compete against one another once in a single round-robin format, with the top four advancing to the playoffs. The knockout phase includes Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator on January 23, followed by Qualifier 2 on January 25, all hosted in Bhubaneswar. The season will culminate in a grand finale on January 26, 2026, at the Kalinga Stadium, featuring a third/fourth place match in the evening, followed by the highly anticipated Final to crown the new HIL champions.

HIL women's league format:

The Women’s HIL will employ a double round-robin structure, where each of the four teams faces every other team twice. Following the league stage, the two teams accumulating the highest points will progress to the Final on January 10, 2026, to determine the champions of the Women’s Hockey India League 2026.

Commenting on the announcement, Hockey India League governing committee chairperson Dilip Tirkey stated, “Following the success of last season’s Hockey India League, I assure fans nationwide of top-notch competition as all our teams prepare with some of the world’s premier talents in the sport. This year, we have expanded the men’s league to three cities to ensure everyone can witness the action live.”

“The growing fan base, coupled with the inclusion of top international players, has propelled the league to global standards. This season will not only feature elite hockey but also inspire the next generation of players throughout the country,” he added.

Hockey India League governing committee member Bhola Nath Singh also shared his insights, stating, “The Hockey India League has evolved into a celebration of hockey and a platform where the finest Indian and international talent converge. With matches spread across various venues and strong fan engagement, we anticipate this season to be the most thrilling yet. The league continues to enhance India’s hockey ecosystem and solidify our status as a leading force in the sport.”

A total of 13 matches are scheduled for the women’s HIL, while the men’s HIL will feature 33 exciting games. The Women’s League will showcase players from over 10 countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Argentina, Australia, Spain, and Great Britain, adding a rich, global flavor to the event. Similarly, the men’s League will host international players from more than 10 nations, such as Argentina, Belgium, Germany, England, Spain, and Australia, promising high-caliber competition and intense hockey action throughout the season.

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