Hero Hockey India League 2025–26: Season Schedule Unveiled for Men’s and Women’s Competitions

The Hero Hockey India League (HIL) has officially announced the full schedule for the 2025–26 season, marking the much-anticipated return of India’s premier franchise-based hockey tournament.

The announcement, made at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh AstroTurf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, confirmed that the women’s competition will once again take place in Ranchi, while the men’s league will be hosted across three iconic hockey cities Chennai, Ranchi, and Bhubaneswar.

The launch event was graced by Shri Sudivya Kumar, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Art, Culture, Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Jharkhand, as Chief Guest. He was joined by Shri Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General, Hockey India & Member, Hero Hockey India League Governing Committee, Shri Alvish M.A., Owner of Ranchi Royals, and several leading Indian hockey stars including Mandeep Singh, Ashish Tani Purti, Sangita Kumari, Deepika Soreng, Nikki Pradhan, and Beauty Dung Dung.

The highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of the official logo of the Ranchi Royals, capturing the spirit of Jharkhand’s deep-rooted hockey culture and passion.

Women’s League: Ranchi to Host from 28 December to 10 January

The Hero Women’s Hockey India League 2026 will take place exclusively in Ranchi, building on the massive success and packed crowds witnessed last season. The women’s edition will feature four teams Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers, JSW Soorma Hockey Club, and Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers. The season opener on 28 December 2025 will see hosts Ranchi Royals face SG Pipers under floodlights at 19:30 hrs. The league will follow a double round-robin format, with each team facing the others twice. The top two sides at the end of the league phase will progress to the Grand Final on 10 January 2026, where the women’s champions of HIL 2026 will be crowned.

Across 13 matches, fans can look forward to watching some of the world’s top women players from countries such as the Netherlands, Argentina, Belgium, Australia, Spain, and Great Britain, alongside India’s finest young talent.

The Men’s Hero HIL 2025–26 promises to be a larger-than-life celebration of Indian hockey, returning with eight franchises and 33 matches across three venues. The season begins on 3 January 2026 in Chennai, with the Tamil Nadu Dragons facing the Hyderabad Toofans in the opener at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium. This will be followed by nearly a month of high-octane action across Chennai, Ranchi, and Bhubaneswar cities synonymous with India’s hockey excellence.

The teams competing in the men’s edition are:

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 (HIL GC). The men’s tournament will be played in a single round-robin format, with the top four teams progressing to the playoffs. The Qualifier 1 and Eliminator will take place on 23 January, followed by Qualifier 2 on 25 January and the Grand Finale on 26 January 2026 at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium coinciding with India’s Republic Day, adding a fitting crescendo to the league.

The men’s event will also feature global stars from Argentina, Belgium, Germany, England, Spain, and Australia, ensuring a blend of flair, speed, and world-class technique.

Leadership Speaks

Dr. Dilip Tirkey, Chairperson of the Hero Hockey India League Governing Committee, expressed his excitement about the new season:

“After the success of the Hero Hockey India League last season, fans can expect an even higher level of competition this year. Expanding the men’s league across three cities will give supporters across the country a chance to witness top-quality hockey live. The inclusion of elite international players ensures the league continues to match global standards.”

Shri Bhola Nath Singh, Member of the HIL Governing Committee, added:

“The Hero Hockey India League has become a festival of hockey and a platform for Indian and international players to perform at their best. With stronger fan engagement and multiple venues, this will be the most exciting season yet. It also reinforces India’s standing as one of the global leaders in hockey development.”

Tournament Structure and Fan Experience

The men’s edition will include 33 matches, covering 23 league games, three playoff fixtures, and a grand finale. Each leg Chennai, Ranchi, and Bhubaneswar will feature themed fan activities, junior hockey showcases, and skill challenges to engage local audiences. Meanwhile, the women’s league, with 13 matches, will continue to serve as a platform for India’s emerging stars. Ranchi will once again transform into a hockey carnival hub, with fans expected to fill the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium to capacity, as they did last season.

Hero HIL 2025–26 Full Schedule

🔹 Women’s Hero Hockey India League 2026 – Ranchi

(As per official Hockey India release )

Men’s Hero Hockey India League 2026 – Chennai, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar

(As per official Hockey India release )

With this announcement, the stage is officially set for another chapter in India’s hockey revolution one that promises to combine elite sport, fan passion, and a celebration of the country’s deep hockey legacy.