Men’s Hockey India League returns Jan 3, matches across three cities

Season two of the revived Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) is set to begin in Chennai on January 3, with Tamil Nadu Dragons facing Hyderabad Toofans in the opening match, organisers announced on Saturday.

The month-long tournament, featuring eight teams, will unfold across three cities and conclude on January 26 in Bhubaneswar. The women’s HIL is scheduled to start earlier, on December 28, in Ranchi, with the final slated for January 10.

The first leg of the men’s HIL will be hosted at Chennai’s Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium from January 3 to 9. Action will then shift to Ranchi’s Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium for the second leg, scheduled from January 11 to 16. The final leg, from January 17 to 26, will take place at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium, which has emerged as a key hub for hockey in recent years.

Each team will compete in a single round-robin format, facing all other sides once. The top four teams will progress to the knockout stage, with Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator on January 23, followed by Qualifier 2 on January 25. The season will conclude with the third-place match and the grand final on January 26 at Kalinga Stadium, Hockey India said.

A total of 33 men’s matches will feature international stars from over 10 countries, including Argentina, Belgium, Germany, England, Spain, and Australia. The teams competing include JSW Soorma Hockey Club, defending champions Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers, and HIL Governing Council.

The women’s HIL will feature four teams: Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers, JSW Soorma Hockey Club, and Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers. Matches will follow a double round-robin format, with each team facing the others twice. The top two teams on the points table will qualify for the final on January 10, Hockey India said.

A total of 13 women’s matches are scheduled, with players from more than 10 countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Argentina, Australia, Spain, and Great Britain, expected to compete.

“After the success of Hockey India League last season, we have expanded the men’s league to three different cities to ensure everyone can enjoy the action right from the venues,” said HIL Governing Committee Chairperson Dilip Tirkey.