Harmanpreet Singh Discusses India's Hockey Aspirations Ahead of Upcoming Tournaments

Harmanpreet Singh, captain of the Indian men's hockey team, discusses the team's aspirations for future tournaments, including the upcoming Hockey India League 2026. With a history of success, including consecutive Olympic bronze medals, Singh expresses confidence in the team's ability to compete at the highest level. The league will feature exciting matches across Chennai, Ranchi, and Bhubaneswar, culminating in a grand finale. The women's league will also showcase competitive hockey, with teams vying for the championship title. Read on to discover more about the upcoming events and the team's preparations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 25, 2025, 08:54 IST

Captain Harmanpreet Singh Reflects on India's Hockey Journey

In a recent statement, Harmanpreet Singh, the captain of the Indian men's hockey team, shared insights on the team's ambitions to secure victories in major tournaments, including an Olympic gold medal.

The Indian hockey squad has made history by clinching consecutive bronze medals at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, marking a significant achievement after a 41-year gap. Harmanpreet expressed confidence in the team's potential to excel in future competitions, stating that following the Hockey India League, they will have ample time to prepare for the World Cup.

During an interview, he remarked, "We are optimistic about winning major tournaments. Our bronze medals in the last two Olympics have boosted our confidence. After this league, we will be well-prepared for the World Cup."

The Hockey India League (HIL) 2026 is set to take place from January 3 to January 26, 2026, across Chennai, Ranchi, and Bhubaneswar.

The men's league will commence on January 3, 2026, at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai, featuring an exciting opening match between the Tamil Nadu Dragons and Hyderabad Toofans, promising nearly a month of thrilling hockey.

Eight teams will compete in the men's league: Tamil Nadu Dragons, Hyderabad Toofans, JSW Soorma Hockey Club, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers (the defending champions), Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers, and the HIL Governing Council.

On the women's side, the HIL will kick off on December 28, 2025, at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium in Ranchi.

The inaugural match will feature Ranchi Royals against SG Pipers, followed by a week of intense competition among the four teams: Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers, JSW Soorma Hockey Club, and Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers.

The Men's HIL 2025-26 will unfold across three cities known for their passion for hockey, starting in Chennai from January 3 to 9 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium.

The tournament will then shift to Ranchi for the second leg from January 11 to 16 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium, before concluding in Bhubaneswar from January 17 to 26 at the renowned Kalinga Stadium.

Each team will compete against every other team once in a single round-robin format, with the top four teams moving on to the playoffs. The knockout stage will include Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator on January 23, followed by Qualifier 2 on January 25, all taking place in Bhubaneswar.

The season will culminate in a spectacular finale on January 26, 2026, at the Kalinga Stadium, featuring a 3rd/4th place match earlier in the day, leading up to the highly anticipated Final to determine the new HIL champions.

The Women's HIL will adopt a double round-robin format, where each of the four teams will face each other twice.

After the league stage, the top two teams will qualify for the Final on January 10, 2026, to crown the champions of the Women's Hockey India League 2026.