The Women’s Hero Hockey India League (WHHIL) is set to return for its second season with growing confidence and heightened expectations, as Ranchi prepares to host 13 days of elite women’s hockey from December 28, 2025, to January 10, 2026.
Following a successful inaugural edition that drew strong crowds and delivered competitive, high-quality hockey, the league now enters a crucial phase where continuity, intensity and identity will define its long-term impact on the women’s game in India.
Once again, the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium will be the sole venue for the competition, turning Ranchi into the national hub of women’s hockey for nearly two weeks. Four franchises Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers, JSW Soorma Hockey Club and Shrachi Bengal Tigers will contest the title in a double round-robin format, with each team facing the others twice in the league stage. The top two teams will advance directly to the Grand Final on January 10, ensuring that consistency across the league phase is rewarded.
The inaugural season set a competitive benchmark. Odisha Warriors lifted the first-ever Women’s HIL trophy, while JSW Soorma Hockey Club finished runners-up after a closely fought final. With Odisha Warriors not part of the second season, the championship race feels more open, and all four teams arrive with a clear sense of opportunity.
JSW Soorma Hockey Club, in particular, carry unfinished business. Having topped the league stage last season only to fall short in the final, the Savita-led side enters the new campaign with renewed resolve. “Coming so close to the title last season has only sharpened our resolve,” Savita said ahead of the season. The Soorma squad continues to blend a strong Indian core with quality international experience, and their ability to control the midfield and manage high-pressure moments could again make them a decisive force.
Ranchi Royals, meanwhile, will look to make the most of home advantage in a city known for its deep-rooted hockey culture. With local crowds expected to turn out in large numbers, the Royals aim to convert support into momentum. Captain Nikki Pradhan highlighted both pride and responsibility in starting the season at home.
“We are proud to begin the new season on home turf in Ranchi, where the passion for hockey is unmatched,” she said, emphasising a fearless but structured approach. For Ranchi, the opening match against SG Pipers on December 28 will be about setting an early tone and establishing themselves as genuine title contenders.
SG Pipers enter the second season with a clear bounce-back mindset after finishing fourth in the inaugural edition. Captain Navneet Kaur spoke of a renewed intensity within the squad, shaped by disciplined and purposeful training under head coach Sofie Gierts. With a balanced roster that mixes international exposure with Indian depth, the Pipers appear focused on improving defensive organisation and collective responsibility areas that could help them close out tight matches that slipped away last season.
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Shrachi Bengal Tigers, who finished third in the inaugural campaign, also view this season as a step forward rather than a reset. Led by Vandana Katariya, the Tigers bring a distinct identity rooted in speed, flair and attacking intent. “This is a special group with a strong Bengal identity and a real hunger to prove ourselves against the best,” Katariya said. Their challenge will be maintaining composure in crunch moments, particularly against teams with greater international experience.
Beyond the title race, the Women’s Hero Hockey India League continues to serve a larger purpose in the Indian hockey ecosystem. With international stars from traditional powerhouses such as the Netherlands, Argentina, Belgium, Australia, Spain and Great Britain joining India’s leading players, the league offers young Indian talent an invaluable learning platform. The compact schedule, featuring matches every alternate day, demands tactical clarity, physical conditioning and mental resilience all essential traits at the international level.
The opening fixture between Ranchi Royals and SG Pipers under lights is expected to set the tone for the season, with aggressive, fast-paced hockey likely to be the defining theme. Across 13 matches, fans can expect attacking intent, high pressing, and frequent momentum swings, particularly given the limited margin for error in a four-team league.
Importantly, the second season represents consolidation rather than experimentation. With a clearer structure, consistent venue, and recognisable franchises, the Women’s HIL is beginning to establish continuity a critical factor for long-term growth. Ranchi’s role as host also reinforces Jharkhand’s place at the heart of Indian hockey, offering local players and fans direct exposure to the global women’s game.
As the league gets underway, the focus will be on whether JSW Soorma can complete unfinished business, whether Ranchi Royals can convert home advantage into silverware, and whether SG Pipers or Shrachi Bengal Tigers can disrupt the expected order.
More broadly, the second season of the Women’s Hero Hockey India League marks another step towards strengthening India’s reputation as a global centre for elite hockey and inspiring the next generation of girls to take up the sport.
