In a major boost to Indian hockey, the Hockey India League (HIL) is poised to make a historic return after a seven-year hiatus. The much-anticipated 2024-25 edition, officially announced today, will feature 8 men's teams and, for the first time, 6 women's teams, marking a significant expansion with a standalone women’s league running concurrently with the men’s competition.

The return of HIL signifies a new era for Indian hockey, with this monumental development serving as a testament to Hockey India’s dedication to nurturing both male and female talent in the sport. This expansion underscores the commitment to elevating Indian hockey's profile on the global stage and promoting gender inclusivity.

List of Men’s Franchises and their Owners

1.    Chennai – Charles Group
2.    Lucknow – Yadu Sports
3.    Punjab – JSW Sports
4.    West Bengal – Shrachi Sports
5.    Delhi – SG Sports and Entertainment
6.    Odisha – Vedanta Limited
7.    Hyderabad – Resolute Sports
8.    Ranchi – Navoyam Sports Ventures Private Limited

List of Women’s Franchises and their Owners

1.    Haryana – JSW Sports
2.    West Bengal – Shrachi Sports
3.    Delhi – SG Sports and Entertainment
4.    Odisha - Navoyam Sports Ventures Private Limited

Two of the women’s franchises will be announced shortly after the closure of legal proceedings in the coming days.

Notably, the players’ auction for the HIL 2024-25 will be held from 13th to 15th October in New Delhi. Each franchise will build a 24-player squad, consisting of at least 16 Indian players (with a mandatory inclusion of 4 junior players) and 8 international stars. This balanced approach is designed to nurture local talent while adding international flair to to the competition.

The HIL 2024-25 will see its matches played across two venues — Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand and Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha — with the women’s league final scheduled for 26th January 2025 in Ranchi and the men’s final to be held on 1st February 2025 in Rourkela. Each match will result in a winner, with shootouts being introduced for tied games to ensure every encounter concludes decisively.