The Hero Hockey India League returns in grand fashion as the men’s competition gets underway on January 3, 2026, marking the second season of the revived tournament. The opening matches will be played at the iconic Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, before the league caravan moves to Ranchi and finally Bhubaneswar, where the final will be held on January 26.
Defending champions Shrachi Bengal Tigers enter the season as the team to beat after their thrilling title win last year. However, repeating that success will be far from easy, with seven other teams boasting a blend of Indian stalwarts and global hockey stars.
Unlike the previous season’s group-stage format, HIL 2026 will follow a single round-robin league. The top four teams will qualify for the playoffs:
Top two teams play Qualifier 1 (winner goes straight to the final)
Teams finishing 3rd and 4th play the Eliminator
The loser of Qualifier 1 meets the Eliminator winner in Qualifier 2
This format adds pressure from the very first match, leaving little margin for error.
The eight franchises competing this season are:
Shrachi Bengal Tigers
Hyderabad Toofans
JSW Soorma Hockey Club
SG Pipers
Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers
Ranchi Royals
HIL GC (replacing UP Rudras)
The season opener features Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons vs Hyderabad Toofans, a rematch of sorts for teams that narrowly missed podium finishes last year.
Several of India’s top players headline the league:
Harmanpreet Singh (JSW Soorma HC)
Hardik Singh (HIL GC)
Manpreet Singh (Ranchi Royals)
Rupinder Pal Singh (SG Pipers, returning to competitive hockey)
Young talent from India’s Junior World Cup bronze-medal squad also features prominently, adding depth and excitement to the competition.
The league boasts a strong overseas contingent, including:
Arthur Van Doren and Alexander Hendrickx (Vedanta Kalinga Lancers)
Vincent Vanasch and Victor Wegnez (JSW Soorma HC)
Tom Boon (Ranchi Royals)
Sam Ward (HIL GC)
Their presence reinforces HIL’s reputation as one of the most competitive domestic hockey leagues globally.
All matches of the Men’s Hero Hockey India League 2026 will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3, and DD Sports, with live streaming available on Waves and the league’s official YouTube channel.
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