After a long seven-year wait, the much-anticipated Hockey India League (HIL) is back, and it’s bigger and better than ever!
Set to kick off on December 28, 2024, the league promises a thrilling ride of non-stop hockey action as top Indian and international talents battle for supremacy.
The season opener will witness Delhi SG Pipers taking on Gonasika at the iconic Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, which, along with Ranchi, will host the entire league.
With a revamped format and two intense phases, fans are in for an electrifying treat of hockey brilliance.
A Revamped Format for a New Era
The 2024-25 HIL features eight teams and two distinct stages:
Phase 1 (December 28 – January 18): A round-robin format where every team faces off once.
Phase 2 (January 19 onwards): Teams split into two pools, with each pool battling it out for semifinal spots.
Pools Breakdown:
Pool A:
Delhi SG Pipers
Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers
Soorma Hockey Club
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers
Pool B:
Gonasika
Hyderabad Toofans
Tamil Nadu Dragons
UP Rudras
The semifinals are slated for January 31, 2025, with the grand finale set to crown the champions on February 1, 2025.
Phase 1: Round-Robin Matches
December 2024
Saturday, 28 Dec: Gonasika vs Delhi SG Pipers | Rourkela
Sunday, 29 Dec: Hyderabad Toofans vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers | Rourkela
Sunday, 29 Dec: Soorma Hockey Club vs Tamil Nadu Dragons | Rourkela
Monday, 30 Dec: UP Rudras vs Vedanta Kalinga Lancers | Rourkela
Tuesday, 31 Dec: Delhi SG Pipers vs Hyderabad Toofans | Rourkela
January 2025
Wednesday, 1 Jan: Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs Gonasika | Rourkela
Thursday, 2 Jan: Soorma Hockey Club vs UP Rudras | Rourkela
Friday, 3 Jan: Tamil Nadu Dragons vs Vedanta Kalinga Lancers | Rourkela
Saturday, 4 Jan: Delhi SG Pipers vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers | Rourkela
Saturday, 4 Jan: Hyderabad Toofans vs Gonasika | Rourkela
Sunday, 5 Jan: Vedanta Kalinga Lancers vs Soorma Hockey Club | Rourkela
Sunday, 5 Jan: Tamil Nadu Dragons vs UP Rudras | Rourkela
Monday, 6 Jan: Soorma Hockey Club vs Delhi SG Pipers | Rourkela
Tuesday, 7 Jan: Vedanta Kalinga Lancers vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers | Rourkela
Wednesday, 8 Jan: Gonasika vs Tamil Nadu Dragons | Rourkela
Wednesday, 8 Jan: UP Rudras vs Hyderabad Toofans | Rourkela
Thursday, 9 Jan: Vedanta Kalinga Lancers vs Gonasika | Rourkela
Friday, 10 Jan: Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs Tamil Nadu Dragons | Rourkela
Saturday, 11 Jan: Delhi SG Pipers vs UP Rudras | Rourkela
Saturday, 11 Jan: Hyderabad Toofans vs Soorma Hockey Club | Rourkela
Sunday, 12 Jan: Vedanta Kalinga Lancers vs Hyderabad Toofans | Rourkela
Monday, 13 Jan: Tamil Nadu Dragons vs Delhi SG Pipers | Rourkela
Tuesday, 14 Jan: Gonasika vs Soorma Hockey Club | Rourkela
Wednesday, 15 Jan: UP Rudras vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers | Rourkela
Thursday, 16 Jan: Delhi SG Pipers vs Vedanta Kalinga Lancers | Rourkela
Friday, 17 Jan: Soorma Hockey Club vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers | Rourkela
Saturday, 18 Jan: Hyderabad Toofans vs Tamil Nadu Dragons | Ranchi
Saturday, 18 Jan: Gonasika vs UP Rudras | Ranchi
Phase 2: Pool Matches
January 2025
Sunday, 19 Jan: Vedanta Kalinga Lancers vs Delhi SG Pipers | Rourkela
Monday, 20 Jan: Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs Soorma Hockey Club | Rourkela
Tuesday, 21 Jan: UP Rudras vs Gonasika | Rourkela
Wednesday, 22 Jan: Delhi SG Pipers vs Soorma Hockey Club | Ranchi
Thursday, 23 Jan: Tamil Nadu Dragons vs Hyderabad Toofans | Rourkela
Friday, 24 Jan: Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs Vedanta Kalinga Lancers | Ranchi
Saturday, 25 Jan: Tamil Nadu Dragons vs Gonasika | Rourkela
Saturday, 25 Jan: Hyderabad Toofans vs UP Rudras | Rourkela
Monday, 27 Jan: Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs Delhi SG Pipers | Rourkela
Monday, 27 Jan: Soorma Hockey Club vs Vedanta Kalinga Lancers | Rourkela
Tuesday, 28 Jan: Gonasika vs Hyderabad Toofans | Rourkela
Wednesday, 29 Jan: UP Rudras vs Tamil Nadu Dragons | Rourkela
Knockout Stage
January 2025
Friday, 31 Jan:
Semifinal 1: 1st Ranked vs 4th Ranked | Rourkela
Semifinal 2: 2nd Ranked vs 3rd Ranked | Rourkela
Finals
February 2025
Saturday, 1 Feb: 3rd/4th Place Match: Loser of Semifinal 1 vs Loser of Semifinal 2 | Rourkela
Final: Winner of Semifinal 1 vs Winner of Semifinal 2 | Rourkela
An Exciting Return
Dilip Tirkey, Chairperson of the Hockey India League Governing Committee, couldn’t hold back his excitement about the league’s return.
Adding to the fan experience, a brand-new official HIL website has been launched, promising comprehensive coverage and updates.
The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever
For players, teams, and fans alike, this edition of HIL represents more than just a competition it’s a celebration of hockey’s resurgence in India.
With intense rivalries, packed schedules, and the return of international stars, every match is poised to be a spectacle.
The countdown to the ultimate hockey carnival has begun. Stay tuned, gear up, and get ready to witness history being made on the turf!
Mark your calendars this is one hockey season you don’t want to miss.
