**Hockey India League 2025-26: Schedule, Teams, and Format Unveiled**
The schedule for the men’s and women’s editions of the 2025-26 Hockey India League (HIL) was announced during a press conference held at Ranchi’s Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Hockey Stadium on Saturday, October 25.
### New Entrants and Logo Reveal
HIL debutants Ranchi Royals unveiled their official logo at the event, which was attended by Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh and President Dr. Dilip Tirkey.
### Venues and Dates
Unlike the previous edition, where the men’s league was primarily held at Rourkela’s Birsa Munda Stadium with a few matches in Ranchi, the upcoming season will feature three cities as venues.
– The **women’s tournament** will kick off on **December 28**, with all matches played at Ranchi’s Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Stadium.
– The **men’s tournament** will begin on **January 3**. The opening match will see Tamil Nadu Dragons face off against Hyderabad Toofans at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai.
– From **January 11**, the men’s action will move to Ranchi.
– Starting **January 17**, matches will be held at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium, including the knock-out stages.
– The grand final is scheduled for **January 26** in Bhubaneswar.
### Presence of Star Players
The announcement event featured notable players such as ace striker Mandeep Singh, Deepika Soreng, Sangita Kumari, Nikki Pradhan, and Beauty Dung Dung.
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## Tournament Format and Team Line-up
### Men’s Edition
Eight teams will compete in the seventh season of the men’s Hockey India League. The teams are:
– Tamil Nadu Dragons
– Hyderabad Toofans
– Soorma Hockey Club
– Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers
– Ranchi Royals (new entrant replacing Team Gonasika)
– SG Pipers
– Kalinga Lancers
– HIL Governing Council (overseeing UP Rudras after the original owners withdrew support)
A total of **33 matches** will be played in the men’s league.
#### Format
– The league stages will follow a **round-robin format**, where each team plays against all other teams.
– The **top four teams** after the league stage will progress to the playoffs.
– Playoffs consist of **Qualifier 1**, **Eliminator**, and **Qualifier 2** matches, setting the stage for the final showdown.
### Women’s Edition
The second season of the women’s Hockey India League will feature four teams, all competing in Ranchi:
– Ranchi Royals (replacing defending champions Odisha Warriors)
– SG Pipers
– Soorma Hockey Club
– Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers
A total of **13 matches** will be played in the women’s tournament.
#### Format
– The women’s league will adopt a **double round-robin format**, where each team meets the others twice.
– After these matches, the **top two teams** will contest the final.
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The upcoming season promises exciting hockey action across multiple venues, with new teams and talents set to make their mark in the Hockey India League. Fans can look forward to thrilling encounters as teams battle for glory in both the men’s and women’s editions.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/indian-sports/news-men-s-edition-upcoming-season-hockey-india-league-played-across-3-cities-ranchi-host-women-s-tournament
