Hockey India League 2024-25 to kick-off from 28 December

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To witness participation from eight men’s and four women’s teams

Following an extensive player auction which saw the stakeholders of eight men’s and four women’s franchises recruit noteworthy players across the globe including India for their respective squads for the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-’25 tourney earlier last month, which saw India captain and ace  dag flicker Harmanpreet Singh being the costliest buy among men (Soorma Hockey Club for Rs 78 lakh) and Udita Duhan (Rs 32 lakh) who was acquired by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers become the most expensive player among women, the respective teams are gearing up to compete in what promises to be the biggest and best HIL season yet be staged across two major venues in India.

The men’s league will begin on 28 December in Rourkela, with matches continuing through two stages until the final showdown on 1 February 2025. Meanwhile, the women’s teams will start their league journey on 12 January 2025 in Ranchi, with their grand finale slated for 26 January.

HIL Men’s League Format

The men’s HIL will kick off in Rourkela, with Phase 1 spanning from 28 December to 18 January, where all eight teams will play against each other once, with Delhi SG Pipers facing Gonasika in the opener at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium on Saturday.

Phase 2, on the other hand will commence on 19 January at  Rourkela,  that will see the teams divided into two pools: Pool A (Delhi SG Pipers, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Soorma Hockey Club, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers) and Pool B (Gonasika, Hyderabad Toofans, Tamil Nadu Dragons, UP Rudras).

Vedanta Kalinga Lancers will take on Delhi SG Pipers in their opening Group A match on the opening day of Phase 2. On the other hand UP Rudras will log heads with Tamil Nadu Dragons in the final Phase 2 Group B match league match also at Rourkela

Each team will face others in their respective pool, with the top four teams advancing to the semifinals on Friday, 31 January. The 3rd/4th place classification match will take place on Saturday, 1 February 2025 between the Loser of Semifinal 1 and Loser of Semifinal 2, and will be followed by the men’s summit clash also on the same day on 1 February, 2025.

HIL Women’s League Format

The Women’s HIL will commence on 12 January at Ranchi's Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium, with each of the four teams Delhi SG Pipers, Odisha Warriors, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, and Soorma Hockey Club (Haryana) playing against the others twice.  Delhi SG Pipers will take on Odisha Warriors in the opening league encounter. After a competitive pool stage, the top two teams will clash for the elusive title on 26 January.

Further both men’s and women’s teams will also play one of their matches at an alternate venue to bring HIL excitement to fans in multiple locations across the nation.

Commenting on the HIL’s return after a seven-year hiatus, Hockey India League Governing Committee Chairperson and former Olympian Dr Dilip Tirkey said, We are thrilled to reintroduce the HIL in a revamped format after a seven-year hiatus (It was first started in 2013 in the January-February window, before being discontinued in 2017 due to a packed international calendar and growing financial hurdles). The upcoming season promises to showcase high-caliber matches and intense competition, showcasing the best of Indian and international hockey talent and will bring fans closer to the action, but the true thrill lies in the journey ahead.”

Hockey India League Governing Committee Member Bhola Nath Singh added, “The HIL’s return is a historic occasion for Indian hockey. We are eager to witness the exhilarating matches and the exceptional talent on display for an unforgettable Hockey season."

Photo Above: Hockey India League Governing Committee Chairperson and former Olympian Dr Dilip Tirkey addressing the gathering on the unveiling of the HIL 2024-25 schedule (Photo courtesy HIL)

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