The Hockey India League (HIL) has unveiled the official schedule for its 2025–26 season, marking a major leap forward for Indian hockey.
This season, the men’s league will unfold across three cities—Chennai, Ranchi, and Bhubaneswar—while the women’s league will take place exclusively in Ranchi.
The men’s tournament begins on January 3, 2026, at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai, where Tamil Nadu Dragons will face Hyderabad Toofans. Following the Chennai leg, the league shifts to Ranchi from January 11 to 16, and then moves to Bhubaneswar from January 17 to 26. The playoffs and final will be hosted at the iconic Kalinga Stadium, with the championship match set for January 26.
Eight teams will battle it out in the men’s league, including defending champions Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, JSW Soorma Hockey Club, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers, and others. The format features a single round-robin, with the top four teams progressing to the knockout stage.
Meanwhile, the women’s league kicks off earlier on December 28, 2025, and continues until January 10, 2026. All matches will be held at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium in Ranchi. Four teams—Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers, JSW Soorma Hockey Club, and Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers—will compete in a double round-robin format, leading to a final showdown between the top two teams.
With elite talent and fierce competition, the Hockey India League 2025–26 promises a thrilling season for fans and a strong platform for the sport’s growth nationwide.
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MEN’S TEAMS
Tamil Nadu Dragons, Hyderabad Toofans, JSW Soorma Hockey Club, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers (defending champion), Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers, and HIL Governing Council.
FORMAT
Each team will face the other once in a single round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs. The knockout stage — comprising Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator on January 23, followed by Qualifier 2 on January 25 — will all take place in Bhubaneswar.
The final will be played on January 26 at the Kalinga Stadium, with the 3rd/4th place match scheduled to take place before the finale.
SCHEDULE
Jan 3, 2026 – Tamil Nadu Dragons vs Hyderabad Toofans – Chennai – 20:15
Jan 4, 2026 – JSW Soorma Hockey Club vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers – Chennai – 18:15
Jan 4, 2026 – Vedanta Kalinga Lancers vs Ranchi Royals – Chennai – 20:15
Jan 5, 2026 – SG Pipers vs HIL GC – Chennai – 20:15
Jan 6, 2026 – Tamil Nadu Dragons vs JSW Soorma Hockey Club – Chennai – 20:15
Jan 7, 2026 – HIL GC vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers – Chennai – 18:15
Jan 7, 2026 – Hyderabad Toofans vs Ranchi Royals – Chennai – 20:15
Jan 8, 2026 – Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs Vedanta Kalinga Lancers – Chennai – 20:15
Jan 9, 2026 – Hyderabad Toofans vs JSW Soorma Hockey Club – Chennai – 18:15
Jan 9, 2026 – Tamil Nadu Dragons vs SG Pipers – Chennai – 20:15
Rest Day – Jan 10, 2026
Jan 11, 2026 – HIL GC vs Vedanta Kalinga Lancers – Ranchi – 18:15
Jan 11, 2026 – Ranchi Royals vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers – Ranchi – 20:15
Jan 12, 2026 – SG Pipers vs Hyderabad Toofans – Ranchi – 18:15
Jan 12, 2026 – HIL GC vs Tamil Nadu Dragons – Ranchi – 20:15
Jan 13, 2026 – Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs Tamil Nadu Dragons – Ranchi – 20:15
Jan 14, 2026 – Hyderabad Toofans vs Vedanta Kalinga Lancers – Ranchi – 18:15
Jan 14, 2026 – Ranchi Royals vs SG Pipers – Ranchi – 20:15
Jan 15, 2026 – JSW Soorma Hockey Club vs HIL GC – Ranchi – 20:15
Jan 16, 2026 – Ranchi Royals vs JSW Soorma Hockey Club – Ranchi – 20:15
Jan 17, 2026 – Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs Hyderabad Toofans – Bhubaneswar – 18:15
Jan 17, 2026 – Vedanta Kalinga Lancers vs SG Pipers – Bhubaneswar – 20:15
Jan 18, 2026 – SG Pipers vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers – Bhubaneswar – 18:15
Jan 18, 2026 – Vedanta Kalinga Lancers vs Tamil Nadu Dragons – Bhubaneswar – 20:15
Jan 19, 2026 – HIL GC vs Ranchi Royals – Bhubaneswar – 18:15
Jan 20, 2026 – Hyderabad Toofans vs HIL GC – Bhubaneswar – 18:15
Jan 20, 2026 – Vedanta Kalinga Lancers vs JSW Soorma Hockey Club – Bhubaneswar – 20:15
Jan 21, 2026 – Tamil Nadu Dragons vs Ranchi Royals – Bhubaneswar – 20:15
Jan 22, 2026 – JSW Soorma Hockey Club vs SG Pipers – Bhubaneswar – 20:15
Jan 23, 2026 – Qualifier 1 – Bhubaneswar – 18:15
Jan 23, 2026 – Eliminator – Bhubaneswar – 20:15
Rest Day – Jan 24, 2026
Jan 25, 2026 – Qualifier 2 – Bhubaneswar – 18:00
Jan 26, 2026 – 3rd/4th Place – Bhubaneswar – 18:15
Jan 26, 2026 – Final – Bhubaneswar – 20:15
On the other hand, the women’s competition will begin on December 28, 2025, at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium in Ranchi. The opening clash will see Ranchi Royals take on SG Pipers.
WOMEN’S TEAMS
Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers, JSW Soorma Hockey Club, and Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers.
FORMAT
The Women’s HIL will follow a double round-robin format, with each of the four teams facing every other side twice.
Following the league stage, the top two teams on the points table will qualify for the final on January 10.
SCHEDULE
Dec 28, 2025 – Ranchi Royals vs SG Pipers – Ranchi – 19:30
Dec 29, 2025 – JSW Soorma Hockey Club vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers – Ranchi – 19:30
Dec 30, 2025 – Ranchi Royals vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers – Ranchi – 19:30
Dec 31, 2025 – SG Pipers vs JSW Soorma Hockey Club – Ranchi – 19:30
Jan 1, 2026 – SG Pipers vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers – Ranchi – 19:30
Jan 2, 2026 – Ranchi Royals vs JSW Soorma Hockey Club – Ranchi – 19:30
Jan 3, 2026 – JSW Soorma Hockey Club vs SG Pipers – Ranchi – 17:30
Jan 4, 2026 – Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs Ranchi Royals – Ranchi – 16:00
Jan 5, 2026 – JSW Soorma Hockey Club vs Ranchi Royals – Ranchi – 18:00
Jan 6, 2026 – SG Pipers vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers – Ranchi – 18:00
Jan 7, 2026 – Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs JSW Soorma Hockey Club – Ranchi – 16:00
Jan 8, 2026 – SG Pipers vs Ranchi Royals – Ranchi – 18:00
Rest Day – Jan 9, 2026
Jan 10, 2026 – Final – Ranchi – 20:15
