FIH Hockey Pro League’s 2024/25 season set to stun
Poligras drives elite competition in the FIH Pro League as Jamie Dwyer weighs in on post-Olympic rebuilds.
With the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 season kicking off this month (on November 30, when the women’s teams of China and Belgium face off in Hangzhou), anticipation is high for the world’s premier annual field hockey competition.
Promising fierce international matchups, thrilling displays of skill, and a glimpse at the best hockey nations’ post-Olympic reconstructions, it’s going to be a brilliant showcase of the sport, with much of it unfolding on Poligras turf—renowned for setting the benchmark in elite hockey surfaces.
With Poligras underfoot for more than half of the tournament’s 144 matches in total and for future marquee events such as the FIH Hockey World Cup Netherlands-Belgium 2026 (with Amsterdam Wagener Stadium soon to be resurfaced with Poligras turf) and the LA 2028 Olympics, the brand's commitment and connection to hockey has never been stronger.
Gongshu Canal Sports Park Field Hockey Field, Hangzhou, China
A time to rebuild and uncover new talent
With the recent Paris 2024 Olympic Games tournament seeing the Netherlands assert its dominance, with both the Dutch women and men claiming gold in convincing style, in the post-Olympic transition, many teams will face a period of readjustment and reconstruction, with seasoned campaigners stepping down and young blood looking to stepping up, allowing for growth and evolution.
Australian hockey legend and one of the greatest to play the game, Jamie Dwyer notes that this transitional period represents a busy period for many teams. "After the Olympics, there’s always players announcing their retirement, so this is a great opportunity for younger players to put their hand up and show their coaches what they’ve got. With many new coaches as well, it’s a reset for a lot of teams."
One to watch, wherever you are
With increased global broadcasting, fans worldwide will be able to follow each team’s journey as it unfolds over December 2024, and in February and June 2025 in Amsterdam, Antwerp, Berlin, Bubhaneswar, Hangzhou, London, Santiago del Estero, Sydney and Valencia. Of these 10 hockey hosts, Poligras is the turf for no fewer than six of the cities: Berlin, Bubhaneswar, Hangzhou, London, Sydney, and Valencia.
Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Rourkela, India
And with all participating nation hosting matches, the action will directly connect teams and athletes with local supporters. In addition, the schedule is structured so that teams will play half their matches in December and February, with the remainder in June, enhancing accessibility and making it easier than ever for global fans to stay engaged throughout the competition.
“The Pro League sets the scene for rematches and redemption, as teams seek to build on, or rebound from, their Olympic performances.”
Poligras turf sets the standard
Poligras, a long-trusted name in field hockey surfaces, is engineered for speed, control, playability and consistency under any conditions. With 78 of this season's 144 matches being played on Poligras, these surfaces will play a crucial role in supporting athletes’ performance, allowing them to push their skills to the maximum on an internationally trusted synthetic turf.
Lee Valley Hockey Stadium, London, UK
Old rivals, new stakes
As always, the stakes are high, with the winners (both women and men) of the 2024/25 season earning direct qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup Netherlands-Belgium 2026.
The Pro League sets the scene for rematches and redemption, as teams seek to build on, or rebound from, their Olympic performances. The Belgian and Australian men’s teams, both powerhouse squads that came away from Paris 2024 disappointed after being eliminated in the quarter finals, will be testing new talent and strategies as they evolve their rosters. Spain, which has been showcasing impressive junior players, is a team that Dwyer thinks could deliver something special.
Great Britain, another outfit with top-tier talent, has been under pressure for years to transform potential into victories, despite the men’s team placing third in the last FIH Hockey Pro League.
As Dwyer points out, "England has been the most disappointing team because they have good players but can’t win when it matters.” He’s also keen, alongside many fans throughout the world, to see teams from Asia—like South Korea, Japan, and Pakistan—make their mark and break into the top rankings in the men’s tournament. And, of course, hockey stalwart India had a resurgent outing at Paris 2024, claiming bronze.
For the women’s league, the Netherlands stands as the team to beat as they chase their 5th title, though Belgium continues to make strides in closing the gap, and China will certainly be looking to consolidate on its impressive Olympic silver-medal performance, setting up a potential shake-up.
Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre, Sydney, Australia
Looking forward
As the world’s top teams compete on Poligras surfaces that have become synonymous with excellence and innovation in the sport, fans around the world will witness skilled veterans and emerging stars lay it all on the line for the chance to directly qualify for the next World Cup and either solidify their Paris 2024 performance or dust themselves off to shine once more.
And as fans tune in from around the world, they can be confident that Poligras’s quality surfaces will set the scene for many of the tournament’s goals, tackles, drag flicks, aerials, passes and saves, driving the sport forward and laying the groundwork for magic moments that fans, clubs, and players cherish.
The FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 season starts on November 30 in Hangzhou.