The stage is set for a thrilling season of high-octane hockey as the Men's Hockey India League (HIL) 2026 gets underway. The second edition of the revived league commences on Saturday, 3rd January 2026, at Chennai's Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Egmore. This multi-city spectacle will begin in Chennai, move to Ranchi, and culminate with the grand final in Bhubaneswar on 26th January 2026.
Team-by-Team Breakdown: Strengths and Star Power
Eight formidable teams, each with a balanced squad of 20 players (13 Indian and 7 overseas), are ready to battle for supremacy. Here is a comprehensive look at each franchise's composition and key personnel.
SG Pipers: A Fresh Start Under New Leadership
After a disappointing previous season, the SG Pipers have undergone a significant transformation. With Indian goalkeeping legend PR Sreejesh as Director of Hockey and Tim Oudenaller as Head Coach, the franchise is looking for a fresh start. They will be led on the field by captain Jarmanpreet Singh, a defensive rock with 142 international caps. The backline is further fortified by drag-flick expert Varun Kumar (142 caps, 39 goals) and veteran Rupinder Pal Singh. Argentine goalkeeper Tomás Santiago will guard the goal, while the attack will be spearheaded by his compatriot, Tomás Domene (41 international goals). Young forward Dilraj Singh, a breakout star from the 2025 Junior World Cup, is one to watch.
Shrachi Bengal Tigers: Defending Champions Aim to Retain Crown
The defending champions, Shrachi Bengal Tigers, have retained the core of their winning squad. Jugraj Singh, the hat-trick hero from last season's final, takes over the captaincy under German coach Valentin Altenburg. Their defence is a formidable mix of experience and skill, featuring New Zealand's James Carr in goal and Belgian Olympic gold medallist Gauthier Boccard. The midfield is anchored by the German duo of Tom Grambusch and Christopher Rühr. The attack is led by last season's Player of the Tournament, Sukhjeet Singh. A special mention goes to 14-year-old prodigy Ketan Kushwaha, the youngest player in HIL history.
JSW Soorma Hockey Club: Building on a Strong Foundation
Finishing third last season, JSW Soorma Hockey Club aims to go further under Head Coach Philippe Goldberg and mentor Sardar Singh. The team is captained by the world's premier drag-flicker, Harmanpreet Singh, who recently completed 250 international caps. In goal stands Belgian legend Vincent Vanasch, a three-time FIH Goalkeeper of the Year. The defence is bolstered by Australian powerhouse Jeremy Hayward, while the midfield features Belgium's Victor Wegnez and India's Vivek Sagar Prasad. The attack will rely on the experience of Akashdeep Singh and the pace of South Africa's Dayaan Cassiem.
Ranchi Royals: The New Entrants with Star-Studded Midfield
Replacing the former Team Gonasika, the Ranchi Royals are the league's newest franchise. They are led by the iconic Manpreet Singh, only the second Indian to cross 400 international caps. Under coach Harendra Singh, Manpreet forms a dream midfield partnership with Belgium's Tom Boon, the 2025 FIH Player of the Year. The defence is strengthened by Belgian Maxime Van Oots and Australia's Tim Howard. Up front, the finishing prowess of Mandeep Singh and the dynamism of young Araijeet Singh Hundal will be crucial.
Other Contenders: Dragons, Toofans, Lancers, and Governing Council
The Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons, led by Amit Rohidas, boast a strong goalkeeping unit with Ireland's David Harte and junior star Prince Deep Singh. Their main attacking threat is Australian penalty-corner specialist Blake Govers.
The Hyderabad Toofans, last season's runners-up, are eager to clinch the title. They are built around a solid defence featuring Belgian Olympic gold medallist Arthur De Sloover and last edition's best goalkeeper, Bikramjit Singh. Their attack is powered by Australian forwards Jacob Anderson and Tim Brand, along with young Indian talent Arshdeep Singh.
The Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, after a mixed previous season, have reinforced their defence with a stellar Belgian trio: Arthur Van Doren, Alexander Hendrickx, and Antoine Kina. They are co-captained by Van Doren and Indian defender Sanjay. India's No. 1 goalkeeper, Krishan B Pathak, guards their net.
The HIL Governing Council team, which took over from UP Rudras, is captained by Hardik Singh and coached by Vikram Pillay. Their squad blends experience, with defenders like Surender Kumar and New Zealand's Kane Russell, and firepower up front from Britain's Sam Ward and India's Lalit Kumar Upadhyay.
How to Watch and Follow the Action
Fans across the nation can catch all the live action of the Hockey India League 2026 on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3, and DD Sports. For digital viewers, the matches will be live-streamed on Waves and the official Hockey India League YouTube channel. In a fantastic initiative for fans, entry to all matches across venues is free. Tickets can be claimed via the Ticket Genie portal.
With a perfect blend of Indian stalwarts, exciting juniors, and global superstars, the Hockey India League 2026 promises to be a landmark event for the sport, showcasing the very best of hockey talent on a grand stage.
