New Delhi, October 25, 2025: The Hero Hockey India League (HIL) on Saturday announced the official schedule for the 2025-2026 season of the Hero HIL Men’s and Women’s League, marking the start of another exciting edition of India’s premier hockey league. The announcement was made at a press conference at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh AstroTurf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi.
The event was graced by Chief Guest Shri Sudivya Kumar, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Jharkhand. The occasion was held in the presence of Shri Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India and Member of Hero Hockey India League Governing Committee, Shri Alvish MA, Owner of Ranchi Royals, along with celebrated hockey players Mandeep Singh, Ashish Tani Purti, Sangita Kumari, Deepika Soreng, Nikki Pradhan and Beauty Dung Dung.
To add to the excitement, the event also saw the unveiling of the official logo of Ranchi Royals, symbolizing the team’s vibrant spirit and strong bond with Jharkhand’s rich hockey heritage.
In the new season, the men’s competition will be played in three major cities – Chennai, Ranchi and Bhubaneswar – while the women’s competition will once again be held entirely in Ranchi, following last year’s success.
The Men’s Hero HIL kicks off on January 3, 2026 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai with an exciting opener between home team Tamil Nadu Dragons and Hyderabad Toofans, setting the tone for almost a month of world-class hockey action. The men’s league will consist of eight teams: Tamil Nadu Dragons, Hyderabad Toofans, JSW Soorma Hockey Club, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers (defending champions), Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers and HIL Governing Council.
Meanwhile, the women’s Hero HIL will commence on December 28, 2025 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium in Ranchi. The opening match will see Ranchi Royals take on SG Pipers, followed by a week of competitive matches between the four participating teams: Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers, JSW Soorma Hockey Club and Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers.
Hero HIL size men:
The Men’s Hero HIL 2025–26 will be played in three vibrant, hockey-loving cities, celebrating the spirit of the sport nationwide. The opening match will be held in Chennai from January 3 to 9 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, where teams will kick off their campaigns. The action then moves to Ranchi for the second leg, scheduled from January 11 to 16 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium, before heading to Bhubaneswar for the third and final leg from January 17 to 26 at the iconic Kalinga Stadium.
Each team competes against the others once in a single round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs. The knockout stages – comprising Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator on January 23, followed by Qualifier 2 on January 25 – will all take place in Bhubaneswar. The season will culminate in a grand finale on January 26, 2026 at Kalinga Stadium, with the 3rd and 4th place match earlier in the evening, followed by the highly anticipated final to crown the new Hero HIL Champion.
Hero HIL Women’s League Format:
The Women’s Hero HIL will follow a double round-robin format, with each of the four teams facing each other side twice. After the league stage, the top two teams on the points table will qualify for the final on January 10, 2026, which will decide the 2026 Women’s Hero Hockey India League champions.
Speaking at the announcement, Dr. Dilip Tirkey, Chairman of the Hero Hockey India League Governing Committee said, “After the success of the Hero Hockey India League last season, I assure fans from across the country of top quality as all our teams can prepare to take on some of the world’s biggest names in the sport. This year, we have expanded the men’s competition to three different cities to ensure that everyone can enjoy the action straight from the venue.”
“The growing fan base and the participation of top international players have elevated the league to global standards. This season will not only showcase elite hockey but also inspire the next generation of players across the country,” he added.
Shri Bhola Nath Singh, Member of the Hockey India League Governing Committee, also shared his thoughts and stated, “The Hero Hockey India League has become a festival of hockey and a platform that brings together the best of Indian and international talent. With matches spread across multiple locations and strong fan engagement, we expect this season to be the most exciting yet. The league continues to strengthen the Indian hockey ecosystem and cements our position as one of the true powerhouses of the sport.”
A total of 13 matches will be played in the Women’s Hero HIL, while the Men’s Hero HIL will feature 33 exciting encounters. The Women’s League will feature players representing more than 10 foreign countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Argentina, Australia, Spain and Great Britain, bringing a truly global flavor to the competition. Similarly, the Men’s League will showcase international stars from more than 10 countries such as Argentina, Belgium, Germany, England, Spain and Australia, ensuring world-class action and high-intensity hockey throughout the season.
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