NEW DELHI: The Hockey India League (HIL) is set to make its long-awaited return after a seven-year break, with the 2024-25 edition marking a new chapter for the sport. Officially announced today, HIL 2024-25 will feature eight men’s teams and six women’s teams, introducing for the first time a standalone women’s league running alongside the men’s competition. This expansion underscores Hockey India’s dedication to promoting both men’s and women’s hockey, aiming to enhance the stature of Indian hockey on the global stage.
The return of the Hockey India League is a pivotal moment in the sport’s history and represents a major step in advancing women’s hockey. The inclusion of a dedicated women’s league within HIL provides a strong platform for female athletes to showcase their talents, paving the way for a more inclusive and competitive future for Indian hockey.
At the press event, the participating men’s and women’s franchises were also revealed.
List of Men’s Franchises and Owners:
1. Chennai – Charles Group
2. Lucknow – Yadu Sports
3. Punjab – JSW Sports
4. West Bengal – Shrachi Sports
5. Delhi – SG Sports and Entertainment
6. Odisha – Vedanta Limited
7. Hyderabad – Resolute Sports
8. Ranchi – Navoyam Sports Ventures Private Limited
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List of Women’s Franchises and Owners:
1. Haryana – JSW Sports
2. West Bengal – Shrachi Sports
3. Delhi – SG Sports and Entertainment
4. Odisha – Navoyam Sports Ventures Private Limited
Note: Two women’s franchises will be announced after ongoing legal proceedings conclude.
The players’ auction for HIL 2024-25 is scheduled to take place from October 13 to 15 in New Delhi. Each franchise will form a 24-player squad, including at least 16 Indian players (with four mandatory junior players) and eight international stars. This blend of local and international talent is designed to nurture domestic players while adding global appeal to the league.
Matches will be held at two venues: the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand, and the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha. The women’s league final is set for January 26, 2025, in Ranchi, while the men’s final will take place on February 1, 2025, in Rourkela. To ensure decisive outcomes, shootouts will be used in case of tied matches.
Franchise owners expressed their excitement about being part of this historic edition of the HIL.
1. Mr. Jose Charles Martin, Chairman and MD of Charles Group said, “It’s an absolute honour to be part of this historic moment, where we unite our passion for hockey with the spirit of Tamil Nadu. Our team is not just about winning matches but about inspiring the next generation of athletes, building a legacy of excellence, and making our state proud on the national stage. Together, we will elevate hockey to new heights and make Tamil Nadu a true powerhouse in the sport.”
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2. Dr. Raghavpat Singhania and Mr. Madhavkrishna Singhania, owners of Yadu Sports and esteemed promoters of JK Cement Ltd said, “We are immensely proud to have acquired the Lucknow franchise in the Hockey India League. We firmly believe in the power of sports to drive nation-building and inspire the youth. Hockey, with its deep-rooted legacy in India, holds a special place in our hearts. Uttar Pradesh, the home of legends like Dhyan Chand and K.D. Singh, has always been an integral part of our family’s history, and we are excited to give back by bringing a hockey team to the passionate fans of Lucknow.”
3. Parth Jindal, Founder, JSW Sports said, “Indian hockey has always had a special place in my heart, and when the chance to own a team in the Hockey India League arose, we were always going to be a part of it. The sport is undergoing a revival in the country, and we believe we have what it takes to further that charge. The states of Punjab and Haryana have been a factory when it comes to producing champion athletes, and specifically talented hockey players, and through our teams, we want to reiterate the contribution of these states to the hockey ecosystem in our country. The role of our teams will extend beyond the league, and we cannot wait for this journey to begin.”
4. Rahul Todi, Managing Director, Shrachi Sports said, “We are excited to partner with the Hockey India League for this season and look forward to a long-term relationship with our franchise, the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers. We are optimistic about the performance of both our men’s and women’s teams in this tournament. Tournaments like the HIL play a crucial role in providing top-notch infrastructure and exposure for India’s hockey talent.”
5. Mahesh Bhupathi, CEO, SG Sports and Entertainment said, “We Are excited to be part of the new wave of Hockey fever in the country and are confident that Hockey India League (HIL) will grow rapidly in the first few seasons.”
6. Nitin Tiwari, COO Mines, Vedanta Limited said, “We have a deep connection with Odisha for more than two decades and Odisha is a pioneer in promoting the sport nation wide. We are extremely humbled to have been given this opportunity to collaborate for the Kalinga Lancers team and we are extremely proud to represent and salute all the living legends and veterans of Indian sports here. As the next step forward, we are going to create history going forward again just like Kalinga Lancers created last time. To ensure this we are going to work very meticulously based on government support and living legends’ support and guidance.”
7. Alok Sanghi, MD, Resolute Sports & Co-founder, Share Square said, “We are thrilled to be part of the HIL. Hockey is the national sport of our country. With India winning back to back Olympic medals in Tokyo and Paris for the first time since 1972, we believe that Hockey in India is making a come back to its glorious past. We believe that Indian hockey is now poised to take the next step in creating long term growth of this sport. HIL will provide another opportunity to the youth to enhance their skills. As we step into the future together as stakeholders, I wish everyone all the very best!”
8. Sanjeev Srivastava, Managing Director, Navoyam Sports Ventures Private Limited said, “Hockey is the emotional sport of India and this is a period of revolution. With 14 teams joining the league, there is no stopping it now. The time has changed now and if the youth connects with the Hockey India League there will be nothing better than that. And with our women’s hockey team from Odisha, we aim to make the logo and name the team such that it connects with Odisha.”