After seven years, the Hockey India League will return with a women’s tournament that will feature four teams for the first time and a men’s tournament with eight teams. In addition to international players like Thierry Brinkman, Blake Govers, and Jip Janssen, the league will feature India’s Olympic medallists Harmanpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh, Abhishek, and Hardik Singh as its main players.
How many Hockey India League teams are there?
In the men’s tournament, eight teams in contention: Delhi SG Pipers, Team Gonasika, Hyderabad Toofans, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Soorma Hockey Club, Tamil Nadu Dragons, UP Rudras, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers.
Where will the men’s HIL matches be held?
In addition to four games in Ranchi, the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela will host men’s HIL.
What format does the men’s HIL follow?
During Phase 1, which runs from December 28 to January 18, all eight clubs will play one another. The teams will be split into two pools for Phase 2, which starts on January 19: Pool A, which includes the Delhi SG Pipers, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Soorma Hockey Club, and Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, and Pool B, which includes the Gonasika, Hyderabad Toofans, Tamil Nadu Dragons, and UP Rudras. The top four teams advance to the semifinals on January 31 after each team plays other teams in their respective pool.
Will the men’s HIL draw be held?
A shootout will be held after any league phase matches that end in a draw. The winner receives three points in regular time, the winner of a shootout after a draw receives one point + one bonus point, and the loser of the shootout receives one point in the case of a draw. The FIH Pro League also uses the same approach.
What is the size of the men’s HIL squads?
Teams will select 20 players from their 24-member roster—eight of whom will be from abroad—for a match during the event. Each side may have no less than two and no more than five foreign players, including the goalie, on the field at any given time during the game.
Where can you watch HIL bouts for men?
Both DD Sports and Sony Sports Network will broadcast live matches. Fans attending games in Ranchi and Rourkela can get complimentary tickets. The Ticketgenie app and website are now offering free tickets.
What about the HIL of the women?
This is the first time the women’s competition has been held. The competition will start on January 12, 2025, at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium in Ranchi, and the final is scheduled for January 26.
