Hockey India League
| Most recent season or competition: 2024–25 Hockey India League | |
 | |
| Founded | 2013 |
|---|---|
| First season | 2013 |
| Administrator | Hockey India |
| No. of teams | 8 |
| Country |  India |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Most recent champion(s) | Kalinga Lancers (2017) |
| Tournament format | |
| Official website | Website |
 2024–25 Hockey India League | |
Hockey India League is a professional field hockey league in India. It is organized by Hockey India, the governing body for the sport in India.[1] It is considered one of the major sports leagues of the country.[2]
It was founded in 2013 as a part of Hockey India's attempt to develop an International Hockey Federation sanctioned league after the un-sanctioned World Series Hockey, began in 2012.[3] The first season took place in 2013.[4] It proved to be a financial success for Hockey India, who were in financial disarray before the league began. In 2015, it was reported that the federation earned a profit from multiple revenues.[5]
The most recent champion of the Hockey India League is Kalinga Lancers, who won the tournament in 2017. Previously, Ranchi Rhinos, Delhi Waveriders, Ranchi Rays and Punjab Warriors have also won the league.[6] The next season of Hockey India League is set to be played from 2024 to 2025.
Background
In 2012, the Indian Hockey Federation and Nimbus began World Series Hockey, a professional field hockey league in India.[7] After the success of the league, Hockey India announced the formation of their own franchise-based league, launched in mid-2012, known as the Hockey India League. Inspired by the cricket, Indian Premier League, the league was approved by the International Hockey Federation. The league was originally planned to have six teams, which would be established after the bidding was done for the twelve proposed cities that would host an HIL team.[8] However, due to lack of interest in a sixth city, the league commenced in 2013 with five teams.[9] Before the beginning of the season, ESPN STAR Sports was announced as the league's official broadcasting partner on a five-year deal.[10]
The first match was played on 14 January 2013, as Delhi Waveriders defeated the Punjab Warriors 2–1 at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium.[11] The league had gained some buzz from the marquee signings of India internationals Sardara Singh and Sandeep Singh, as well as the signings of foreign players such as Jamie Dwyer, Moritz Fürste, and Teun de Nooijer.[12] The inaugural season ended with Ranchi Rhinos being the first champions, defeating the Delhi Waveriders 2–1 in the final.[13] The league was considered a success immediately in the years following the inaugural season.[14]
Before the beginning of the second season, Kalinga Lancers were announced as the sixth team in the Hockey India League.[15] However, after the 2014 season, the league suffered its first setback when the Mumbai Magicians disbanded.[16] The team was swiftly replaced though with Dabang Mumbai being launched before the 2015 season.[17] The league though suffered another setback before the 2015 season when Ranchi Rhinos, the inaugural champions, were disbanded after an ownership problem. The team though, like with Mumbai, was quickly replaced with Ranchi Rays.[18][19]
Seven years later, Hockey India League was revived with its 2024 edition.[20][21]
Rules
Previously, HIL used to consist of six teams, with the regular season from January to February, each team playing 10 games.[22] The top four teams at the end of the season move into the play-offs, where the game decides the Hockey India League winner.[23]
Since 2024, the teams have been expanded to eight. Meanwhile, the league's addition of the women's tournament will see six teams in its inaugural edition.
If there is a tie in any match then there would be extra time. Still, if winner is not decided, there would be a shoot-out. If still the winner is not decided there would be no option left other than penalty strokes.
Teams
Men's tournament
| Team | City | Debut | Head Coach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi SG Pipers | Delhi | 2024 |  Graham Reid
|
| Hyderabad Toofans | Hyderabad | 2024 |  Pasha Gademan
|
| Kalinga Lancers | Bhubaneswar | 2013 | David John
|
| Rarh Bengal Tigers | Kolkata | 2024 | Colin Batch
|
| Soorma Hockey Club | Punjab | 2024 |  Jeroen Baart
|
| Tamil Nadu Dragons | Chennai | 2024 |  Rein van Eijk
|
| Team Gonasika | Visakhapatnam | 2024 | |
| UP Rudras | Lucknow | 2024 | Paul van Ass
|
Women's tournament
| Team | City | Debut | Head Coach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi SG Pipers | Delhi | 2024 | Dave Smolenaars
|
| Odisha Warriors | Rourkela | 2024 | Janneke Schopman
|
| Rarh Bengal Tigers | Kolkata | 2024 | Glenn Turner
|
| Soorma Hockey Club | Haryana | 2024 | Jude Menezes
|
Defunct teams
| Team | City | Stadium | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Magicians | Mumbai | Mahindra Stadium | 2013–2014 |
| Ranchi Rhinos | Ranchi | Birsa Munda Stadium | 2013–2014 |
| Uttar Pradesh Wizards | Lucknow | Major Dhyan Chand Stadium | 2013–2017 |
| Delhi Waveriders | Delhi | Shivaji Stadium | 2013–2017 |
| Punjab Warriors | Chandigarh | Chandigarh Stadium | 2013–2017 |
| Dabang Mumbai | Mumbai | Mahindra Stadium | 2015–2017 |
| Ranchi Rays | Ranchi | Birsa Munda Stadium | 2015–2017 |
Editions and results
Men's tournament
| Season | Winner | Score | Runner-up | Venue | Teams | Player of the tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Ranchi Rhinos | 2–1 | Delhi Waveriders | Birsa Munda Stadium | 5 | Sardar Singh from Delhi Waveriders |
| 2014 | Delhi Waveriders | 3–3 (Shoot-out 3–1) |
Punjab Warriors | Birsa Munda Stadium | 6 | Jaap Stockmann from Punjab Warriors |
| 2015 | Ranchi Rays | 2–2 (Shoot-out 3–2) |
Punjab Warriors | Dhyan Chand Stadium | Ashley Jackson from Ranchi Rays | |
| 2016 | Punjab Warriors | 6–1 | Kalinga Lancers | Birsa Munda Stadium | Rupinder Pal Singh from Delhi Waveriders | |
| 2017 | Kalinga Lancers | 4–1 | Dabang Mumbai | Chandigarh Stadium | Florian Fuchs from Dabang Mumbai | |
| 2024–25 | TBA | TBA | TBA | Birsa Munda Stadium | 8 | TBA |
Women's tournament
| Season | Winner | Score | Runner-up | Venue | Teams | Player of the tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | TBA | TBA | TBA | Marang Gomke Stadium | 6 | TBA |
Performance records
| Highest Average goals per match | Highest Average saves per shots on target |
|---|---|
| Glenn Turner | P. R. Sreejesh |
Sponsorship
| Period | Sponsor | Tournament Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2013–2015 | Hero
|
Hero Hockey India League |
| 2016–2017 | Coal India
|
Coal India Hockey India League |
| 2024 | TBA | TBA |
Prize money
It was announced that the winning and losing team in the final is awarded ₹3 crores and ₹1.5 crores respectively.
Board
Before the league's first season, Hockey India appointed Steve Catton as competitions director.[24] Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla, leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley, and media personality Rajat Sharma are the members of the board for the Hockey India League.[25] Along with Steve Catton, Barry Anderson was appointed as the tournament director.[26]
Hockey India appointed Todd Faulds as its competitions director for the second edition of the Hockey India League.[27][28] He previously worked as a competitions manager for the FIH 2012 Men's Champions Trophy in Melbourne and 2012 International Super Series in Perth.
Bjorn Isberg has been the Hockey India League tournament director since 2014. Isberg had served as tournament director for the 2012 London Olympics field hockey tournament, and three Champions Trophy tournaments (in 2004, 2007, and 2011).[29]
See also
References
- ^ "Hockey India League 2016: Let the Games begin!". Asia Hockey. 18 January 2016. Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "ISL offers Rs 15 crore in prize money". Times of India. 17 August 2014. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "HOCKEY INDIA LEAGUE TO BE HELD FROM JANUARY 1, 2013". DNA India. 1 June 2012. Archived from the original on 28 April 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ Sahota, Baldev (13 January 2013). "Hero Hockey India League 2013". DESI Blitz. Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ Dutt, Tushar (16 April 2015). "Hockey India rings in the riches". Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "Ranchi Rays claim HIL title". Hockey. 23 February 2015. Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ Pande, Bhanu (12 March 2012). "IPL impact: 5 new sports leagues come up in 18 months, non-cricket sports have no dearth of sponsors". Economic Times. Archived from the original on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "Hockey India announces plans for new league". International Hockey Federation. 5 June 2012. Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ Sahni, Jaspreet (12 December 2012). "Hockey India League Auction: the final squads list". IBN Live. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ Nag, Ashoke (31 July 2012). "Hockey India enters into broadcast deal with ESPN-STAR". Economic Times. Archived from the original on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ Sahni, Jaspreet (14 January 2013). "Punjab suffer from own goals against Delhi". IBN Live. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "Hockey India League names three Indians among six 'Marquee Players'". NDTV Sports. 29 November 2012. Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "Ranchi Rhinos 2-1 Delhi Waveriders" (PDF). Hockey India. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 August 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "Hockey India League: The new face of hockey". The Roar. 9 September 2015. Archived from the original on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "Kalinga Lancers latest to join Hockey India league". India TV News. 20 November 2013. Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ Vasavda, Mihir (4 September 2014). "Mumbai Magicians pull out of HIL; two new teams may be drafted in". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "DoIT Sports Management Takes To Hockey India League 2015 With 'Dabang Mumbai'". Hockey India. 14 November 2014. Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "MS Dhoni becomes co-owner of Ranchi hockey franchisee". Indian Express. 25 October 2014. Archived from the original on 8 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "HIL to make grand return in Nov-Dec 2019: Hockey India CEO". 6 December 2017. Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
- ^ "Hockey India planning to revive HIL in 2024". The Time of India. 10 April 2023.
- ^ "Hockey India announces exclusive Commercial and Marketing Agency for the re-launch of Hockey India League". Hockey India. 10 April 2023.
- ^ "Hockey India League: Mumbai beat Uttar Pradesh to keep semifinal hopes alive". IBN Live. 16 February 2016. Archived from the original on 20 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "Hockey India League 2016: Everything you want to know". IBN Live. 16 January 2016. Archived from the original on 23 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "Steve Catton appointed Hockey India League director". New Delhi: IBN Live. 25 October 2012. Archived from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
- ^ "Rajeev Shukla, Arun Jaitley & Rajat Sharma join Hockey India League (HIL) Board" (PDF). New Delhi: Hockey India. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Anderson named Hockey India League tournament director". Sify. New Delhi. 2 December 2012. Archived from the original on 2 December 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
- ^ "Hero Hockey India League appoints Todd Faulds as its Director Competitions". New Delhi: Hockey India. 17 July 2013. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
- ^ "Hockey India League: Todd Faulds appointed as Director Competitions". New Delhi: NDTV. 17 July 2013. Archived from the original on 8 September 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
- ^ "Hockey India League appoints Bjorn Isberg as Tournament Director". New Delhi: CNN-IBN. 24 October 2013. Archived from the original on 5 December 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
