Hockey India have been given the all-clear to re-launch the Hockey India League from 28 December to 1 February.
Hockey India League (HIL) is set to make a comeback after an eight-year hiatus with a scheduled start in December. Reports suggest that Hockey India has received approval to re-launch the league, featuring both men and women, from 28 December to 1 February. The tournament will follow a home-and-away format.
According to HI secretary general Bhola Nath Singh, “We have been given a clear window by the international hockey federation (FIH). We have been in touch with many national federations like Australia and Netherlands, all of whom have agreed that their best players will be available.”
The upcoming HIL is expected to include eight men’s teams and six women’s teams, each with separate owners. The player auction is scheduled to take place after the Paris Olympics in July-August.
Initially featuring only men’s teams, HIL was discontinued in 2017 due to financial issues. However, efforts are underway to revive the league early next year.
In April 2023, Hockey India appointed Big Bang Media Ventures Pvt. Ltd. as its exclusive commercial and marketing partner agency. The agency’s proposed financial model was approved by the Hockey India board in July 2023.
