The Hockey India League returns for its second outing after a seven-year hiatus this week when the women’s event kick starts the 2025/26 season.
The Hero Women’s HIL, comprising four sides and 13 games, begins on Dec 28 in Ranchi and will end on Jan 10, with all matches taking place in the same city
The Men’s HIL will begin on Jan 3 in Chennai, move to Ranchi from Jan 11 and the final leg will be held in Bhubaneswar starting Jan 17-26. It will feature 33 games.
Criticism from its returning season centred on too many matches in Rourkela and a lengthy six weeks in India for some players.
Three teams have failed to make the start line for this season – Team Gonasika and UP Rudras for the men and last year’s women’s champions Odisha Warriors, which featured star turn Yibbi Jansen.
Shrachi Bengal Tigers signed Argentina star Agustina Gorzelany for INR 42 lakhs, making her the most expensive player at the auction, and she will team up with compatriot Valentina Raposo in defence.
With World Cup year looming, there are several top stars refraining from participating this year.
Meanwhile, India and JSW Soorma Hockey Club captain Harmanpreet Singh is keen to maximise the HIL window before a decisive year for the national team.
READ MORE: Hockey India League 2026: Full franchise men and women teams
He said: “If we set the tone with our work rate, penalty corner execution, and defensive organisation here, it will carry directly into our performances for India later in the year.”
Hockey India has decided to make the tickets free of cost in a bid to encourage more fans to come and watch the matches.
Matches will be live on Sony Sports 1, Sony Sports 3, Doordarshan Sports and the Hockey India League YouTube channel.
Hockey India League 2026 schedule
Women
December
28: Ranchi Royals vs SG Pipers – 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM UK – Ranchi
29: Soorma Hockey Club vs Shrachi Bengal Tigers – 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM UK – Ranchi
30: Ranchi Royals vs Shrachi Bengal Tigers – 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM UK – Ranchi
31: SG Pipers vs Soorma Hockey Club – 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM UK – Ranchi
January
1: SG Pipers vs Shrachi Bengal Tigers – 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM UK – Ranchi
2: Ranchi Royals vs Soorma Hockey Club – 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM UK – Ranchi
3: Soorma Hockey Club vs SG Pipers – 5:30 PM IST / 12:00 PM UK – Ranchi
4: Shrachi Bengal Tigers vs Ranchi Royals – 4:00 PM IST / 10:30 AM UK – Ranchi
5: Soorma Hockey Club vs Ranchi Royals – 6:00 PM IST / 12:30 PM UK – Ranchi
6: SG Pipers vs Shrachi Bengal Tigers – 6:00 PM IST / 12:30 PM UK – Ranchi
7: Shrachi Bengal Tigers vs Soorma Hockey Club – 4:00 PM IST / 10:30 AM UK – Ranchi
8: SG Pipers vs Ranchi Royals – 6:00 PM IST / 12:30 PM UK – Ranchi
10: Final – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Ranchi
Men’s Hockey India League
January
3: Tamil Nadu Dragons vs Hyderabad Toofans – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Chennai
4: Soorma Hockey Club vs Shrachi Bengal Tigers – 6:15 PM IST / 12:45 PM UK – Chennai
4: Kalinga Lancers vs Ranchi Royals – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Chennai
5: SG Pipers vs HIL GC – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Chennai
6: Tamil Nadu Dragons vs Soorma Hockey Club – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Chennai
7: HIL GC vs Shrachi Bengal Tigers – 6:15 PM IST / 12:45 PM UK – Chennai
7: Hyderabad Toofans vs Ranchi Royals – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Chennai
8: Shrachi Bengal Tigers vs Kalinga Lancers – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Chennai
9: Hyderabad Toofans vs Soorma Hockey Club – 6:15 PM IST / 12:45 PM UK – Chennai
9: Tamil Nadu Dragons vs SG Pipers – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Chennai
11: HIL GC vs Kalinga Lancers – 6:15 PM IST / 12:45 PM UK – Ranchi
11: Ranchi Royals vs Shrachi Bengal Tigers – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Ranchi
12: SG Pipers vs Hyderabad Toofans – 6:15 PM IST / 12:45 PM UK – Ranchi
12: HIL GC vs Tamil Nadu Dragons – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Ranchi
13: Shrachi Bengal Tigers vs Tamil Nadu Dragons – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Ranchi
14: Hyderabad Toofans vs Kalinga Lancers – 6:15 PM IST / 12:45 PM UK – Ranchi
14: Ranchi Royals vs SG Pipers – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Ranchi
15: Soorma Hockey Club vs HIL GC – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Ranchi
16: Ranchi Royals vs Soorma Hockey Club – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Ranchi
17: Shrachi Bengal Tigers vs Hyderabad Toofans – 6:15 PM IST / 12:45 PM UK – Bhubaneswar
17: Kalinga Lancers vs SG Pipers – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Bhubaneswar
18: SG Pipers vs Shrachi Bengal Tigers – 6:15 PM IST / 12:45 PM UK – Bhubaneswar
18: Kalinga Lancers vs Tamil Nadu Dragons – 6:15 PM IST / 12:45 PM UK – Bhubaneswar
19: HIL GC vs Ranchi Royals – 6:15 PM IST / 12:45 PM UK – Bhubaneswar
20: Hyderabad Toofans vs HIL GC – 6:15 PM IST / 12:45 PM UK – Bhubaneswar
20: Kalinga Lancers vs Soorma Hockey Club – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Bhubaneswar
21: Tamil Nadu Dragons vs Ranchi Royals – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Bhubaneswar
22: Soorma Hockey Club vs SG Pipers – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Bhubaneswar
23: Qualifier 1 – 6:15 PM IST / 12:45 PM UK – Bhubaneswar
23: Eliminator – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Bhubaneswar
25: Qualifier 2 – 6:00 PM IST / 12:30 PM UK – Bhubaneswar
26: 3rd / 4th Place – 6:15 PM IST / 12:45 PM UK – Bhubaneswar
26: Final – 8:15 PM IST / 2:45 PM UK – Bhubaneswar
