Studio Hockey: HIL (India) 🇮🇳

Belgium’s green light a big relief for HIL as Netherlands and Spain players pull out

Jaspreet Singh — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 15:30:32 GMT

Belgium players are set to be in high demand when the auction for the men’s Hockey India League (HIL) takes place in the coming weeks, after the Red Lions received a go-ahead from their federation.

File photo of Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers lifting the HIL trophy in the men's event in 2024-25 @ Hockey India League

Belgian striker Tom Boon, speaking to us f…

Resurrecting a National Passion

Ernst Baart — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 13:17:13 GMT

Hockey, often regarded as India's national sport, has faced stiff competition from more mediatized sports in recent years. The relaunch of the Hockey India League (HIL) marks a significant effort to revitalize this national passion. Let’s explore the setup of the relaunched league, identify the key actors involved, and analyze the potential for a sustai…

The auction

Studio Hockey — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 17:47:10 GMT

In 2013 we witnessed the first ever auction of players for a professional hockey league. They flew in English auctioneers and made it into a very, very, very long “spectacle”. Back in the days it was difficult to find where to watch it. This time they made it easier…

The entire auction will be livestreamed on their new YouTube channel:

The return of the HIL

Studio Hockey — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 20:01:03 GMT

It started in 2013 and we loved it. It ended after 2017 because of poor management and we hated that. But now…. The HIL is back and we’re excited!

Few leagues or events really made a impact on hockey like the original HIL. Sure we had and have the Dutch Hoofdklasse, still the strongest club league in the world of hockey who sets the tone. The EHL saw the…

HIL again without Pakistani

Ernst Baart — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 10:09:14 GMT

No Pakistani players
8 men and 6 women’s teams
2 venues for the first 2 editions

The Hockey India federation has decided to only allow foreign players to register from top 15 ranked nations. Very conveniently, neighbours Pakistan are currently ranked 16. So they want us to believe they will not be allowing any Pakistani players in the HIL because of ranking, instead of religion and politics.

Hockey India League returns in December

Ernst Baart — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 11:29:00 GMT

Hockey India has announced today it begins registration for Hockey India League 2024-2025

The winners of the HIL in 2017 - Credits WSP/Frank Uijlenbroek

The Hockey India League 2024-2025 edition will feature 8 Men’s and 6 Women’s Teams

Finally, after 8 years, the Hockey India League (HIL) is set to make its comeback. The Hockey India League 2024-2025 edition will feature 8 men’s and 6 women’s teams. Hockey players from across the nation are invited to register themselves on or before 30th June 2024.

This is the first time in the history of the sport that an exclusive women's HIL will be hosted simultaneously, underlining Hockey India’s vision to promote women's hockey and subsequently increase the talent pool of women hockey players in India.

The HIL will be played from the last week of December 2024 to the first week of February 2025

Additionally, Hockey India has also invited players from top 15 hockey playing nations to register their players and support staff for the upcoming season which will be held in the window sanctioned by FIH; the last week of December 2024 to the first week of February 2025.