Men's Hockey India League: Action Begins in Chennai, Grand Finale Set for Bhubaneswar
Hockey enthusiasts across the nation can finally rejoice as the wait for top-tier domestic action ends this weekend. Excitement reaches a fever pitch as the revived Men's Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26 season kicks off on Saturday, January 3, at the iconic Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai.
This edition promises to be a traveling carnival of high-octane sportsmanship. While the initial stick-work begins in Chennai, the caravan will move to the hockey heartland of Ranchi before culminating in the sports capital of India, Bhubaneswar. Odisha’s Kalinga Stadium is scheduled to host the grand finale on January 26, 2026, offering local fans a chance to witness the crowning of the new champions.
Opening Clash: Dragons vs. Toofans
Saturday’s curtain-raiser features hosts Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons locking horns with the Hyderabad Toofans at 7:30 PM IST. The Toofans are hungry for redemption after finishing as runners-up in the previous edition, where they suffered a heartbreaking 3-4 defeat to the Shrachi Bengal Tigers. Conversely, the Tamil Nadu Dragons are eager to start fresh after missing a podium finish last season, having lost the third-place playoff to JSW Soorma Hockey Club.
New Format Adds Drama
Organizers have tweaked the competition structure to intensify the rivalry. Unlike the previous group-stage split, this season features a single round-robin format. All eight teams will face each other, with only the top four advancing to the knockouts.
The playoff system rewards consistency. The top two teams will battle in Qualifier 1 for a direct spot in the final. The loser of this match gets a second chance in Qualifier 2, where they will face the winner of the Eliminator (played between the 3rd and 4th ranked teams).
Teams and Stars to Watch
Eight franchises are vying for the trophy: defending champions Shrachi Bengal Tigers, Hyderabad Toofans, JSW Soorma Hockey Club, SG Pipers, Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons, Ranchi Royals, HIL GC (formerly UP Rudras), and the local favorites, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers.
Star power is abundant this season. India Captain Harmanpreet Singh will lead the charge for JSW Soorma, while Hardik Singh features for HIL GC. For Odisha fans supporting the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, the return of Junior World Cup bronze winner Sunil PR and overseas stars like Arthur Van Doren and Alexander Hendrickx will be the highlight.
Global talent also shines bright, with Ranchi Royals fielding Tom Boon and Shrachi Bengal Tigers deploying Christopher Ruhr. The blend of seasoned veterans like Rupinder Pal Singh (SG Pipers) and rising colts creates a perfect storm for competitive hockey.
Where to Watch
Fans can catch all the live action on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3, and DD Sports. Digital viewers can stream the matches on Waves and the official Hockey India League YouTube channel.
