The Hockey India League (HIL), the professional field hockey league in India, is set to return after seven years, featuring an 8-team men’s competition and, for the first time, a 4-team women’s competition. The event begins today, December 28, with Team Gonasika taking on Delhi SG Pipers at 8:15 PM IST.
The stage is set for the first match of the new #HeroHIL season, as Team Gonasika take on the Delhi SG Pipers! Who are you backing?
— Hockey India League (@HockeyIndiaLeag) December 28, 2024
Watch all the LIVE action on DD Sports, Waves, Sony TEN 1, Sony TEN 3, Sony TEN 4 and Sony LIV!#HockeyKaJashn pic.twitter.com/9RdLNX1I77
The eight teams that will compete in the men’s event are Delhi SG Pipers, Team Gonasika, Hyderabad Toofans, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Soorma Hockey Club, Tamil Nadu Dragons, UP Rudras, and Vedanta Kalinga Lancers.
Harmanpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh, Abhishek, and Hardik Singh, India’s Olympic medallists, will be the stars of the league, while international players such as Thierry Brinkman, Blake Govers, and Jip Janssen will also compete.
Phase 1 runs from December 28 to January 18, and all eight teams will face each other once. Phase 2, which begins on January 19, will split the teams into two pools: Pool A (Delhi SG Pipers, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Soorma Hockey Club, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers) and Pool B (Gonasika, Hyderabad Toofans, Tamil Nadu Dragons, and UP Rudras). Each team will compete in their own pools, with the top four teams progressing to the semifinals on January 31.
Any drawn games in the league phase will be decided by a shootout. Three points to the team that prevails in regular time; one point to the winner of a shootout after a draw plus one bonus point; and one point to the shootout loser if a draw occurs. The system is the same as in the FIH Pro League.
Where to Watch:
Hockey India League 2024-25 will be aired live on Sony Sports Network and DD Sports.