The wait for a new champion should be over as the men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) kicks off in Chennai on Saturday, January 3. The opening matches will be played at the iconic Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Egmore, marking the start of the second season of the revived league.
This edition of the men’s HIL will be held across multiple venues, starting in Chennai before moving to Ranchi and culminating in Bhubaneswar, where the final will be held on 26 January 2026. Hockey India aims to move the tournament to multiple hockey-centric cities, allowing a wider fan base to experience elite-level action with top players from around the world.
Hockey India League: Complete coverage
The home team Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons will face Hyderabad Toofans to open the tournament. Toofans finished runners-up in the previous season after narrowly losing 3–4 to champions Shrachi Bengal Tigers in the final and will be looking to go one step further this time. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Dragons will be hoping for a strong start after narrowly missing out on third place last season after losing 2-3 to JSW Soorma Hockey Club.
Unlike the previous edition, which split the teams into two groups during the opening phase, this season will be played in a single-team format. The top four teams in the points table advance to the playoffs. The top two teams will meet in Qualifier 1, with the winner advancing directly to the finals, while the loser will get another chance in Qualifier 2. The runner-up spot in Qualifier 2 will be decided via Eliminator 1 between the third and fourth placed teams in the league standings.
The eight teams competing in the men’s HIL this season are defending champions Shrachi Bengal Tigers, Hyderabad Toofans, JSW Soorma Hockey Club, SG Pipers, Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, Ranchi Royals and HIL GC who replaced UP Rudras.
Several prominent Indian players will be in action, including national captain Harmanpreet Singh for JSW Soorma Hockey Club, Hardik Singh for HIL GC, Manpreet Singh for Ranchi Royals and Rupinder Pal Singh, who returns to competitive hockey with SG Pipers. Adding to the excitement will be members of India’s Junior World Cup bronze medal squad, with captain Rohit and Dilraj Singh representing SG Pipers, Amir Ali and Manmeet featuring for Ranchi Royals, Sunil PR playing for Vedanta Kalinga Lancers and Prince Deep Singh playing for Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons.
The league will also feature a strong international presence with major overseas stars such as Tom Boon for Ranchi Royals, Christopher Rhr for Shrachi Bengal Tigers, Vincent Vanasch and Victor Wegnez for JSW Soorma Hockey Club, Arthur Van Doren and Alexander Hendrickx for Vedanta Kalinga Lancersand Sam Ward for HIL GC expects to make a significant impact.
INDIAN MEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE: THE COMPLETE FILE
SG Pipers
Pawan, Rupinder Pal Singh, Varun Kumar, Manjeet, Rohit, Jarmanpreet Singh, Ankit Pal, Raj Kumar Pal, Thokchom Kingson Singh, Shamsher Singh, Aditya Lalage, Dilraj Singh, Sourabh Anand Khushwaha, Tomas Santiago (Argentina), Willa Van Battum (Netherie Gartum UK), Willa Furthuth (Netherie Gartum) Ky (Australia), Jacob Draper (UK), Tomas Domene (Argentina), Roman Duvekot (Belgium).
Shrachi bengal tigers
Vivek Lakra, Parmod, Jugraj Singh, Jaskaran Singh, Affan Yousuf, Pradhan Poovanna Chandura, Atul Deep, Pardeep Singh Sandhu, Ajinkya Jadhav, Ketan Kushwaha, Gursewak Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, James Carr (New Zealand), Gath Williergiumcard (B Tommy Zealand), Gath (Belgium), Enrique Gonzalez (ESP), Christopher Ruhr (Germany), Tom Grambusch (Germany), Sean Findlay (New Zealand).
JSW Soorma Hockey Club
Mohith HS, Gurinder Singh, Pradip Mandal, Sukhvinder, Harmanpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Jeet Pal, Akashdeep Singh, Prabhjot Singh, Harjeet Singh, Pawan Rajbhar, Maninder Singh, Gurjant Singh, Vincent Vanasch (Belgium), Torrem Nicolay A Della (Australia), Victor Wegnez (Belgium), Nicolas Poncelet (Belgium), Nicolas Keenan (Argentina), Dayaan Cassiem (South Africa).
Ranchi Royals
Rajak Pankaj Kumar, Suraj Karkera, Purti Ashish Tani, Ravneet Singh, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Anmol Ekka, Amir Ali, Vishnukant Singh, Yashdeep Siwach, Manpreet Singh, Manmeet Singh Rai, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Joshuautz Maxim, Vanshuautz Maxim (Belgium), Tim Howard (Australia), Jack Waller (UK), Mustapha Cassiem (South Africa), Tom Boon (Belgium), Sam Lane (New Zealand).
According to the Tamil Nadu Dragons agreement
Prince Deep Singh, Anand Lakra, Pruthvi GM, Amit Rohidas, Mohammed Raheel Mouseen, Chandan Yadav, Shesha Gowda, Arun J, Sushil Dhanwar, Adrohit Ekka, Selvaraj Kanagaraj, Selvam Karthi, Uttam Singh, David Harte (Ireland), Craigali Tomaustraus (Ireland), Craigke Sander de Govers (Australia), Paul Kaufmann (Germany), Thomas Sorsby (UK), Nathan Ephraums (Australia).
Hyderabad Toofans
Bikrayat Singh, Mubra Shar, Amandeep Lakra, Devin Wallmiki, Rajarawat Singh, Singakan of Singh, Rajerin Wallia, Rajeran Sayed Sayed, Rahiman Sayed, Ravid Singh, Singing Order, Singhal Jeaning, Singhed Original Pakhing. Danneberg (Gersary to Sloud (Netherlands), Zacharry Walace (Great Tranthhouff), Michel Struck), Nicmany (Australia (Australia (Australia) (Australia (Australia (Australia) (Australia (Australia)) (Australia (Australia (Australia) (Australia) Australia)
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers
Krishan B Pathak, Sunil PB, Pratap Lakra, Rohit Kullu, Sanjay, Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem, Amit Kumar Toppo, Rosan Kujur, Gursahibjit Singh, Angad Bir Singh, Deepak Pradhan, Dilpreet Singh, Boby Singh Snowel Dhami (Australia, Jedina K Arthur) Doren (Belgium), Alexander Hendrickx (Belgium), Craig Marais (Australia), Liam Henderson (Australia), Cooper Burns (Australia).
GC HALL
Prashant Kumar Chauhan, Jasjit Singh Kular, Mohammad Haris, Surender Kumar, Prasant Barla, Talem Priyobarta, Hardik Singh, Manmeet Singh, Rahul Yadav, Ajeet Yadav, Sudeep Chirmako, Gurjot Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, UK, James Kane Mazello UK, James Kane Mazello UK (New Zealand), Daragh Walsh (Ireland), Simon Yorston (NZ), Sam Ward (UK), Tanguy Cosyns (Belgium).
INDIAN MEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE: COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons vs Hyderabad Toofans – 03 Jan 2026 – 20:15 IST – Chennai
JSW Soorma Hockey Club vs Shrachi Bengal Tigers – 04 January 2026 – 18:15 IST – Chennai
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers vs Ranchi Royals – 04 January 2026 – 20:15 IST – Chennai
SG Pipers vs HIL GC – 05 Jan 2026 – 20:15 IST – Chennai
Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons vs JSW Soorma Hockey Club – 06 January 2026 – 20:15 IST – Chennai
HIL GC vs. Shrachi Bengal Tigers – 07 Jan 2026 – 18:15 IST – Chennai
Hyderabad Toofans vs Ranchi Royals – 07 Jan 2026 – 20:15 IST – Chennai
Shrachi Bengal Tigers vs Vedanta Kalinga Lancers – 08 Jan 2026 – 20:15 IST – Chennai
Hyderabad Toofans Hockey Club Vs. JSW Soorma Hockey Club – 09 Jan 2026 – 18:15 IST – Chennai
Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons vs SG Pipers – 09 Jan 2026 – 20:15 IST – Chennai
HIL GC vs. Vedanta Kalinga Lancers – 11 Jan 2026 – 18:15 IST – Ranchi
Ranchi Royals vs Shrachi Bengal Tigers – 11 January 2026 – 20:15 IST – Ranchi
SG Pipers vs Hyderabad Toofans – 12th January 2026 – 18:15 IST – Ranchi
HIL GC vs Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons – 12th January 2026 – 20:15 IST – Ranchi
Shrachi Bengal Tigers vs Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons – 13 Jan 2026 – 20:15 IST – Ranchi
Hyderabad Toofans vs Vedanta Kalinga Lancers – 14 Jan 2026 – 18:15 IST – Ranchi
Ranchi Royals vs SG Pipers – 14 January 2026 – 20:15 IST – Ranchi
JSW Soorma Hockey Club vs HIL GC – 15 Jan 2026 – 20:15 IST – Ranchi
Ranchi Royals Hockey Club vs JSW Soorma – 16 Jan 2026 – 20:15 IST – Ranchi
Shrachi Bengal Tigers vs Hyderabad Toofans – 17th January 2026 – 18:15 IST – Ranchi
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers vs SG Pipers – 17 Jan 2026 – 20:15 IST – Ranchi
SG Pipers vs Shrachi Bengal Tigers – 18th January 2026 – 18:15 IST – Ranchi
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers vs Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons – 18 Jan 2026 – 20:15 IST – Ranchi
HIL GC vs Ranchi Royals – 19th January 2026 – 18:15 IST – Ranchi
Hyderabad Toofans vs HIL GC – 20th January 2026 – 18:15 IST – Ranchi
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers Vs. JSW Soorma Hockey Club – 20 Jan 2026 – 20:15 IST – Ranchi
Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons vs Ranchi Royals – 21 January 2026 – 20:15 IST – Ranchi
JSW Soorma Hockey Club vs SG Pipers – 22 Jan 2026 – 20:15 IST – Ranchi
Qualifier 1 – 23 Jan 2026 – 18:15 ist – bhuneswar
Eliminator – 23 Jan 2026 – 20:15 IST – Bhubaneswar
Qualifier 2 – 25 Jan 2026 – 18:00 ist – bhuneswar
Match for 3rd/4th venue – 26 Jan 2026 – 18:15 IST – Bhubaneswar
Final – 26th January 2026 – 20:15 IST – Bhubaneswar
INDIA MEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE: WHERE TO WATCH?
Every match of Hero Hockey India League will be telecast live on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3 and DD Sports. Fans can also watch the action via live streaming on Waves as well as Hockey India League’s official YouTube channel.
– The end
Published on:
January 3, 2026
