Dilip Tirkey Launches Photo Exhibition Celebrating Hockey in Odisha
Inauguration of Photo Exhibition
On Wednesday, Dilip Tirkey, the President of Hockey India, officially opened a photo exhibition named 'Dilip Tirkey and the Spirit of Hockey in Odisha' at the Odisha State Museum.
Importance of Hockey India League
In a statement, Tirkey emphasized the significance of the Hockey India League (HIL), announcing that the Odisha government will extend its sponsorship until 2036. He mentioned, "The initial phase of the HIL is taking place in Chennai and Ranchi, with the finals set for Bhubaneswar. This league is crucial, and I anticipate a successful event."
Support from Odisha Cricket Association
Pankaj Lochan Mohanty, President of the Odisha Cricket Association, praised the exhibition, stating, "Photographer Samin Qureshi has curated this display, which will serve as motivation for aspiring hockey players. As a sports administrator, I commend this initiative."
Hockey India League 2025-26: Schedule and Teams
The Hockey India League for the 2025-26 season is scheduled 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 opening match between the Tamil Nadu Dragons and Hyderabad Toofans, setting the stage for nearly a month of elite 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.
Women's League Schedule
The women's HIL is set to kick off on December 28, 2025, at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium in Ranchi. The opening match will feature Ranchi Royals against SG Pipers, followed by a week of competitive games among the four teams: Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers, JSW Soorma Hockey Club, and Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers.
Men's League Format and Stages
The Men's HIL 2025-26 will unfold in three cities known for their passion for hockey. The first leg will take place 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 progressing to the playoffs. The knockout stage will include Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator on January 23, followed by Qualifier 2 on January 25, all hosted in Bhubaneswar. The season will culminate with the grand finale on January 26, 2026, at the Kalinga Stadium, featuring a 3rd/4th place match earlier in the evening, leading up to the championship final.
Women's League Format
The Women's HIL will adopt a double round-robin format, where each of the four teams will face each other twice. The top two teams from the league stage will qualify for the final on January 10, 2026, to determine the champions of the Women's Hockey India League 2026.