Hockey India League 2025-26 Starts January 3 Across Chennai,Ranchi,Bhubaneswar

The 2025-26 season of the Hero Hockey India League (HIL) will feature both men's and women's competitions, with the men's league played across Chennai, Ranchi, and Bhubaneswar, and the women's league held entirely in Ranchi. The men's league starts on January 3, 2026, with eight teams competing in a single round-robin format, leading to playoffs and a grand finale on January 26 at Bhubaneswar's Kalinga Stadium. The women's league begins earlier on December 28, 2025, with four teams competing in a double round-robin format, culminating in a final on January 10, 2026. Key teams in the men's league include the Tamil Nadu Dragons, Hyderabad Toofans, and defending champions Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, while the women's league features teams like Ranchi Royals and SG Pipers. The HIL Governing Council has taken over the UP Rudras franchise operations for the men's league after the previous owners exited, and some teams such as Team Gonasika and Odisha Warriors have withdrawn. The tournaments promise exciting hockey action with participation from international players, aiming to engage fans across multiple cities and elevate the sport nationally.