The 2025–26 season of the FIH Hockey Pro League is shaping up to be a pivotal chapter for Indian hockey, but in dramatically different ways for its men’s and women’s teams.
While the men’s squad rides the momentum of their Paris 2024 Olympic bronze and prepares for high-profile clashes in a tightly structured season, the women’s team finds itself in unfamiliar territory relegated to the second-tier FIH Nations Cup after a disappointing last-place finish in 2024–25. These contrasting trajectories encapsulate both the promise and the challenges that lie ahead as India builds toward the ultimate goal: qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
For the men’s team, the Pro League is not just another international assignment it is a critical step in a long-term strategy to secure an Olympic berth as early as possible. Unlike traditional home-and-away formats, the 2025–26 Pro League season is divided into mini-tournaments or “stages,” with multiple teams competing at centralized venues. India’s campaign begins on home soil in Odisha from February 10–15, 2026, hosting Argentina and Belgium. This leg represents more than just home advantage; it’s a chance to set the tone early against two top-tier teams in front of passionate fans.
The journey then moves to Australia, where India will face the hosts and Spain from February 20–25, 2026. After a mid-season break, the action resumes in Europe: first in the Netherlands against the Dutch and Germany (June 13–21), before concluding in England with matches against England and arch-rivals Pakistan (June 23–28). This itinerary, confirmed after initial uncertainties, is crucial for India’s rhythm. With each leg offering a mix of high-quality opposition, the Pro League doubles up as preparation and qualification pathway.
The Rivalry Rekindled: India vs. Pakistan
Perhaps the most anticipated feature of this season is the revival of the India–Pakistan rivalry on Pro League turf. Pakistan, runners-up of the 2024–25 Nations Cup, were promoted after New Zealand declined their spot due to financial reasons. Their inclusion has already been described by FIH President Tayyab Ikram as a “milestone for world hockey,” and for good reason. Though India, ranked seventh, sit well above Pakistan, currently 15th, the emotional weight of the rivalry cannot be overstated.
The clashes in England are expected to be more than just league fixtures; they are contests of pride and heritage, watched by millions across the subcontinent. For India, the matches also present a chance to fine-tune their form against a historical rival while chasing crucial Pro League points.
The Women’s Team: A Season of Reflection and Rebuilding
In sharp contrast, the women’s national team faces a season away from the Pro League spotlight. Their relegation to the FIH Nations Cup followed a poor 2024–25 campaign, where they finished ninth with only 10 points from 16 matches. Their record two outright wins, one shootout win, and 11 losses was compounded by a devastating eight-match losing streak to close the season. Defensive lapses and missed opportunities in front of goal defined a campaign where the gulf between India and the rest became glaring.
The final standings painted a sobering picture: while England and Germany managed 14 and 16 points respectively, India lagged behind. Their last game, a 3–2 defeat to China, encapsulated the struggles competitive spirit undone by frailty in execution.
Relegation, harsh as it seems, is a direct result of the merit-based promotion-relegation system introduced in 2022–23. This mechanism ensures that the league remains competitive, with the bottom team exiting and the Nations Cup winner stepping up. It was this very system that gave India their original Pro League entry after winning the inaugural Nations Cup, and it now demands they re-earn their place the same way.
The Nations Cup will be the women’s stage in 2025–26, and victory there is the only ticket back into the Pro League. Far from being a consolation event, it is a vital proving ground. Playing slightly less formidable opponents may allow India to experiment tactically, rebuild confidence, and sharpen the finishing that deserted them last season. Their mission is clear: fix the defensive fragility, rediscover consistency, and treat the Nations Cup as the first stepping stone back to Olympic qualification pathways. For coach and players alike, it is less a setback and more a reset.
The 2025–26 season holds weight far beyond its fixtures. For the men, a strong Pro League campaign could mean direct qualification for the 2028 Olympics an opportunity to bypass the uncertainty of last-minute qualifiers. Every match, particularly against European heavyweights like Germany and the Netherlands, will carry Olympic implications. For the women, the immediate focus is narrower but equally critical: win the Nations Cup to restore Pro League status. Only then can they re-enter the Olympic qualification race. In many ways, the contrasting fortunes of the two teams highlight the unforgiving yet fair nature of modern hockey’s meritocratic structures.
Indian hockey in 2025–26 is a study in contrasts. The men’s team embarks on a season filled with high-stakes encounters and the tantalizing prospect of early Olympic qualification. The women’s team, meanwhile, faces the sobering reality of relegation but with a clear, achievable pathway back to the elite.
Both journeys, though different, are interconnected by a single larger narrative: building resilience, consistency, and competitiveness for Los Angeles 2028. The Pro League and Nations Cup are not just tournaments; they are crucibles in which the future of Indian hockey will be forged.
Men Schedule
February 11, 2026 – India 🇮🇳 vs Belgium 🇧🇪
February 12, 2026 – India 🇮🇳 vs Argentina 🇦🇷
February 14, 2026 – India 🇮🇳 vs Belgium 🇧🇪
February 15, 2026 – India 🇮🇳 vs Argentina 🇦🇷
February 21, 2026 – India 🇮🇳 vs Spain 🇪🇸
February 22, 2026 – India 🇮🇳 vs Australia 🇦🇺
February 24, 2026 – India 🇮🇳 vs Spain 🇪🇸
February 25, 2026 – India 🇮🇳 vs Australia 🇦🇺
June 14, 2026 – India 🇮🇳 vs Netherlands 🇳🇱
June 17, 2026 – India 🇮🇳 vs Germany 🇩🇪
June 18, 2026 – India 🇮🇳 vs Germany 🇩🇪
June 21, 2026 – India 🇮🇳 vs Netherlands 🇳🇱
June 23, 2026 – India 🇮🇳 vs Pakistan 🇵🇰
June 25, 2026 – India 🇮🇳 vs England 🏴
June 26, 2026 – India 🇮🇳 vs Pakistan 🇵🇰
June 28, 2026 – India 🇮🇳 vs England 🏴
