England’s involvement in the men’s and women’s FIH World Cup qualifiers next year is set to cause a headache for England Hockey officials over Premier Division fixtures.
With the top flight now on winter break hiatus until Phase 2, it is understood that the league could resume in mid-March due to the World Cup qualifiers taking place at the end of February.
Old Georgians and Surbiton are also in men’s Euro Hockey League Finals action at the start of April. Both teams are set to lose a number of players to international duty.
This could lead to a run of three double headers in a row when the Premier Division resumes in a congested Phase 2 before the play-offs, if the league can’t return in February. It would effectively mean a four-month break in between Phases.
England Hockey told THP: “We are currently awaiting confirmation of the World Cup Qualifier dates before we can finalise and release the dates for Phase Two & Three of the Premier Division.”
The England Hockey play-offs weekend is set to take place on the weekend of May 2 and 3.
This is in contrast to the Dutch and Belgians leagues which finish much later in May.
After the winter break, the Dutch league will resume on Feb 28. The 2026 play-offs are scheduled to start on May 14, with the championship finals taking place on May 23 and 25.
Struan Walker is joint top scorer of the Hoofdklasse after a blistering start to the season with Oranje-Rood.
His club lie top of the table after the Scot’s 16 goals (10 field goals, six PCs). He is also set to play in the World Cup qualifiers with Scotland.
The Belgian season runs through May, with playoffs beginning on May 14.
