The wait is over as Hockey India League returns
Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela during the 2023 Men's Hockey World Cup
HIL 2024/25 brings back world-class talent, iconic venues and great turf to hockey
After a seven-year hiatus, the Hockey India League (HIL) is set to make its long-awaited return for the 2024/25 season, running from December 28 to February 1. The revival promises world-class hockey action across two venues: the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, a paragon of modern hockey infrastructure, and Ranchi’s Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Hockey Stadium.
Synonymous with high-quality hockey and international flair, the HIL has expanded participation to include women’s teams and is poised to both inspire the next generation of players and cement India’s return as global hockey powerhouse.
Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela during the 2023 Men's Hockey World Cup
Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela during the 2023 Men's Hockey World Cup
Teams and talent
The 2024/25 HIL features the following men’s and women’s teams: UP Rudras, Team Gonasika, Tamil Nadu Dragons, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, Hyderabad Toofans, Delhi SG Pipers, and Soorma Hockey Club. Four women’s teams will take to the field: Delhi SG Pipers, Odisha Warriors, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, and Soorma Hockey Club.
When the league launched in 2013, it was hailed as a revolutionary step for hockey, with its mix of local and international talent, state-of-the-art venues, and broadcasting standards. Its impact was profound, playing a pivotal role in the resurgence of the Indian men’s hockey team after decades in the Olympic wilderness, culminating in bronze medal finishes at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics Games.
Women’s hockey takes center stage
A landmark feature of this edition is the inclusion of women’s teams, reflecting the growing strength of Indian women’s hockey. Their 4th-place finish at Tokyo 2020 was a watershed moment, showcasing skill and determination, and the participation of elite women players in the league will no doubt reinforce HIL’s promotion of gender equality.
The catalyst for global hockey development
India’s expertise in transforming cricket into a global spectacle through the IPL has demonstrated the country’s ability to reimagine sports leagues, and the HIL has the potential to do the same for hockey, attracting audiences and sponsors alike.
Shaun Goudie, General Manager of Sport Group Asia, emphasizes the importance of this evolution: "The Hockey India League is a game-changer, not just for Indian hockey but for the global hockey community. High-quality infrastructure like the Poligras turf at Rourkela ensures players perform at their best, while fans enjoy a thrilling experience. It can only be good news for the game."
Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium: the jewel in the hockey crown
Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela is an emblem of India’s hockey renaissance. Built for the 2023 Men's Hockey World Cup, it is the world’s largest fully seated hockey arena, with a capacity of just over 20,000. The stadium features a Poligras Platinum GT surface, renowned for its exceptional quality and performance-enhancing properties and features 20% polyethylene made from sugar cane rather than fossil fuels.
Indian legends and playmakers to watch
The breadth and depth of India’s talent will be on full display, with a roster than includes Harmanpreet Singh (Soorma), Hardik Singh (UP Rudras), Abhishek (Shrachi Rahr Bengal Tigers) and Amit Rohidas (Tamil Nadu Dragons) among the men. India women’s goalkeeper Savita Punia and midfielder Salima Tete will both play for Soorma, while striker Sangita Kumari joins Delhi SG Pipers and defender Udita Duhan the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers.
“High-quality infrastructure like the Poligras turf at Rourkela ensures players perform at their best, while fans enjoy a thrilling experience. It can only be good news for the game.”
Overseas talent set to stun
Top European talent in the men’s tournament includes Netherlands captain Thierry Brinkman, Arthur Van Doren (BEL) and Alexander Hendrickx (BEL; all to Kalinga Lancers), Dutch dragflick star Jip Janssen (Tamil Nadu Dragons), brilliant forward Tom Boon (BEL; Team Gonasika), plus German penalty corner wizard Gonzalo Peillat (Hyderabad Toofans) and compatriot Christopher Ruhr (Delhi SG Pipers). From the Antipodes, Kane Russell (NZL; UP Rudras), and Australians Aran Zalewski (Kalinga Lancers), Jeremy Hayward (Soorma), and Blake Govers (Tamil Nadu) will be keen to make their mark.
The women’s comp boasts Dutch superstars Xan de Waard (Delhi SG Pipers), Eva de Goede (Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers), and Yibbi Jansen (Odisha Warriors) battling it out against Germany’s Nike Lorenz (Soorma), Ireland strike Kathryn Mullan (Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers), and Australia’s Claire Colwill (Odisha Warriors).
Goalies and coaches get in on the action
Goalkeepers were decisive in determining the course of many matches at Paris 2024, and HIL will feature some of the best: Jean-Paul Danneberg (GER; Hyderabad Toofans), Pirmin Blaak (NED; Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers), young Ollie Payne (ENG; Gonasika), and Jocelyn Bartram (AUS; Odisha Warriors).
Some key overseas coaches have also signed up, with Aussies Graham Reid, Colin Batch and Mark Hager, Germany women’s team coach Janneke Schopman (NED), and Japan women’s head coach Jude Menezes (IND) all ready to steer their charges to success.
A step in the right direction
The Hockey India League 2024/25 will be more than a tournament; it is a celebration of the sport’s past, present, and future. As the players prepare to take the field, one thing is clear: HIL is set to redefine hockey, inspiring a new generation and leaving an indelible mark on the sport, and it’s great to see HIL back where it belongs—at the very heart of global hockey.