The stage is set for a high-stakes day of strategy, anticipation, and fierce bidding as the Hero Hockey India League (HIL) Men’s and Women’s HIL 2026 Mini Auctions take place on 24th September 2025 in New Delhi.
With over 200 players more than 100 men and 100 women going under the hammer, franchises are gearing up to fine-tune their squads for the much-awaited second edition of the revived league.
The auctions will feature all the ingredients of sporting drama, this time off the turf. With a salary cap of INR 4 crores for men’s teams and INR 2 crores for women’s teams, franchises will have to strike the right balance between marquee international names, proven Indian performers, and promising juniors.
Each squad will consist of 20 players (2 goalkeepers and 18 outfield players), with a maximum of seven overseas players permitted and a minimum of three Indian juniors mandated — ensuring pathways for the next generation of talent.
Auction Format and Player Pool
The bidding will take place across three base price slabs INR 2 lakhs, INR 5 lakhs, and INR 10 lakhs with INR 2 lakhs set as the minimum entry point for both Indian and overseas players.
Franchises will only be able to place bids if they have sufficient budget and roster spots available. Teams must also maintain a balance between their remaining purse and the number of players required to complete their squad, adding an additional layer of tactical calculation to the auction room.
With several world-class athletes in the pool and Indian internationals eager to showcase their form ahead of a packed hockey calendar, the auctions promise to be a pivotal moment in the league’s build-up.
Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey underlined the larger vision behind the league and the auctions:
“It takes a lot of steadfast resolve and commitment for a federation to ensure the continued success of a league, especially for a legacy sport like hockey. The core purpose of a league is to build inclusion and opportunity for the sport to grow. The Hero HIL 2026 edition is being planned with this resolve to keep player exposure, welfare, and growth at the centre of our focus.
While we do this through the year across our competitions calendar, the HIL allows a unique opportunity for healthy corporate participation to contribute and get involved in the sport. We are proud of each of our franchise partners for their belief and contribution to ensure the success of the league.
The mini auction taking place tomorrow promises to be action-packed as our first milestone for the second edition of the Hero HIL. I wish all the teams and players the best of luck.”
The auctions will be a crucial milestone in the journey to the 2026 season, with franchises expected to focus not just on established international stars but also on young Indian players capable of making a mark. With the balance of purse management, player availability, and tactical requirements at play, the day promises plenty of surprises.
The men’s auction will begin at 10:30 am, followed by the women’s auction. Fans can follow the action live on the official Hockey India YouTube channel: Watch Here.
As the hockey world turns its attention to New Delhi, the Hero HIL 2026 Mini Auctions will set the tone for the season ahead where every bid could define a team’s fortunes.
