Hockey India has officially opened player registrations for the Hockey India League (HIL) 2027 Player Auction, with the auction scheduled for September 2027 and the tournament set to begin in January 2027. The move signals the league's continued expansion following two successful revival seasons.

Who Can Register

Registrations are open to players from a broad range of top hockey nations. For the men's category, eligible countries include India, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, England, Argentina, Germany, Spain, Ireland, France, New Zealand, South Africa, Malaysia, and Japan.

For the women's category, players from India, the Netherlands, Argentina, Belgium, China, Spain, England, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, the United States, Ireland, Scotland, and Japan are eligible to register.

Scale of the League's Growth

The HIL's revival has drawn considerable interest from the global hockey community. The 2026 edition alone attracted over 1,000 registered players, comprising more than 500 Indian men, 350 Indian women, and over 240 international players. Last season featured eight men's franchises and four women's franchises, generating substantial fan engagement across both competitions.

On the field, SG Pipers claimed the Women's HIL 2026 title, while Kalinga Lancers were crowned men's champions. The 2027 edition is expected to raise the competitive bar further, with Hockey India positioning the league as one of the premier club hockey platforms globally.

What Hockey India Officials Said

Dilip Tirkey, president of Hockey India and chairperson of the HIL Governing Committee, said: 'The Hockey India League has re-established itself as one of the most exciting platforms in world hockey. The enthusiasm witnessed during the revival seasons has been extremely encouraging, and the response from players across the globe reflects the league's growing stature. We are delighted to open player registrations for the 2027 edition and look forward to welcoming top talent from India and overseas. The HIL continues to play an important role in providing players exposure at the highest level while strengthening India's hockey ecosystem.'

Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India and HIL Governing Committee member, added: 'The success of the previous editions has created strong momentum for the Hockey India League, and we are excited to build on that in 2027. The participation numbers from last season highlighted the trust and interest players have in the league. We encourage all eligible players to register and be part of a competition that not only showcases top-quality hockey but also contributes significantly to the development and growth of the sport.'

What Comes Next

With the auction slated for September and the season opener in January 2027, franchises and players will have the coming months to complete registrations and prepare for the selection process. The HIL's expanding country eligibility list — particularly the inclusion of nations such as Chile, Scotland, and the United States in the women's draw — points to a deliberate push to internationalise the league's talent pool ahead of its third consecutive season.