After a year of strong performances and notable achievements, the Indian hockey teams are set for an action-packed 2026, with a calendar dominated by major international tournaments and a packed domestic season.
The year begins with the second edition of the revived Hockey India League (HIL). The Women’s HIL, which started in late December, will conclude in Ranchi on January 10, while the Men’s HIL will run from January 3 to January 26, with matches spread across Chennai, Ranchi and Bhubaneswar. The men’s final will be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, providing a high-profile domestic curtain-raiser to the season.
Following the HIL, the Indian men’s team will begin its FIH Pro League campaign at home, hosting the Indian leg from February 10 to 15 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela. The team will then head overseas for the Australian leg from February 21 to 25, before completing the season with fixtures in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom between June 14 and 28.
The focus for the women’s team shifts to World Cup qualification, with the FIH Women’s World Cup Qualifiers scheduled in Hyderabad from March 8 to 14. The tournament represents a crucial opportunity for India to secure a berth at the 2026 FIH Women’s World Cup and features strong competition from teams including England, Scotland, Korea, Italy, Uruguay, Wales and Austria.
The highlight of the international season arrives in August, when India will compete at the FIH Hockey World Cup, to be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15 to 30. The tournament offers the Indian team a chance to build on recent Olympic success and challenge for a podium finish on the world stage.
The year will conclude with a major continental assignment as both the men’s and women’s teams travel to Japan for the 20th Asian Games, scheduled in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.
The Indian men’s team enters the Asian Games as defending champions, with the added incentive of securing direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Alongside these international commitments, Hockey India will continue its emphasis on grassroots development, with a comprehensive domestic calendar aimed at providing competitive exposure to emerging players and identifying future prospects for the senior national teams.
Indian hockey team calendar – 2026
Women’s Hockey India League:
December 28, 2025 – January 10, 2026
Men’s Hockey India League:
January 3 – January 26, 2026
FIH Men’s Pro League (India):
February 10 – 15, 2026
FIH Men’s Pro League (Australia):
February 21 – 25, 2026
FIH Men’s Pro League (Netherlands & UK):
June 14 – 28, 2026
FIH Women’s World Cup Qualifiers (Hyderabad):
March 8 – 14, 2026
FIH Hockey World Cup (Belgium & Netherlands):
August 15 – 30, 2026
20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya (Japan):
September 19 – October 4, 2026