Rajgir, Aug 31: Hockey India League’s next edition will be held at three venues instead of two in January 2026, Federation president Dilip Tirkey said on Sunday.
The top Hockey India (HI) official said the men’s HIL will continue to be an eight-team competition but the women’s event could see participation of six teams instead of present four.
He also said that two teams – Gonasika (men) and Odisha Warriors (2025 women champions) have withdrawn from the competition after just one season, citing personal reasons.
“HIL will happen both in men and women category. In men mostly same teams will be there apart from Gonasika which withdrew because of personal reasons and we will name their replacement soon,” Tirkey said on the sidelines of the ongoing men’s Asia Cup here.
“There will no less than four teams in women and eight in the men’s competition. We were thinking of increasing women team to six, talks are on.
“This time there will be three venues in three different cities — 2 existing cities will remain and one will be added. From Odisha it will be a toss between Rourkela and Bhubaneswar.”
The HI chief also said that they have plans to take HIL to north India in future.
“A proposal came from Punjab and we also wanted to take HIL to North but after analysing we felt places like Chandigarh and Mohali will encounter fog problem in January. In future we will see.”
Tirkey also informed that the dues of all players who featured in last HIL have been cleared. (PTI)
