Upcoming 16th Hockey India Sub Junior Men National Championship 2026 Set to Begin
Championship Overview
The 16th Hockey India Sub Junior Men National Championship 2026 is poised to kick off on April 1 at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar. This 12-day event will showcase the best emerging hockey talents from across India, competing in three distinct divisions, a format introduced by Hockey India in previous national championships.
Tournament Structure
A total of 30 teams will participate, divided into Division 'A', Division 'B', and Division 'C'. The tournament will feature a promotion and relegation system that adds excitement to the competition. Division 'A' teams will compete for the championship title, while the top two teams from Divisions 'B' and 'C' will earn promotion. Conversely, the bottom two teams in Divisions 'A' and 'B' will face relegation.
Division 'A' Pools
Division 'A' consists of 12 teams split into four pools, leading to quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final on April 12. The pools are as follows:
- Pool A: Hockey Punjab, Hockey Chandigarh, Hockey Maharashtra
- Pool B: Hockey Jharkhand, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey, Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu
- Pool C: Uttar Pradesh Hockey, Hockey Haryana, Manipur Hockey
- Pool D: Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Hockey Association of Odisha, Kerala Hockey
Division 'B' Pools
Division 'B' will follow a league format with two pools. The teams are organized as follows:
- Pool A: Delhi Hockey, Hockey Gujarat, Hockey Bengal, Telangana Hockey, Hockey Uttarakhand
- Pool B: Hockey Karnataka, Chhattisgarh Hockey, Hockey Arunachal, Hockey Himachal, Bihar (BSSA)
Division 'C' Pools
Division 'C' will also adopt a league format. The pools are structured as follows:
- Pool A: Hockey Andhra Pradesh, Hockey Mizoram, Le Puducherry Hockey, Assam Hockey
- Pool B: Goans Hockey, Hockey Jammu & Kashmir, RAJ, Tripura Olympic Association
Venue and Competition Rules
The matches will take place at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium. Points will be awarded as follows: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss during the pool stages. In Division 'A', if knockout matches end in a tie, they will be resolved through shoot-outs in accordance with FIH regulations. This structured promotion and relegation system, along with a pool of talented young players, promises a high level of competition and serves as a vital platform for discovering future stars of Indian hockey.
Hockey India's Commitment to Talent Development
Ahead of the tournament, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey emphasized the importance of the Sub Junior National Championship in bolstering the grassroots framework of Indian hockey. He stated, "The involvement of teams from various divisions and the promotion and relegation system create a competitive atmosphere, allowing young players to challenge themselves against their peers. We believe this tournament will reveal promising talent for the future of Indian hockey."
Hockey India Secretary General Bola Nath Singh echoed these sentiments, noting, "This tournament is essential for identifying and nurturing young talent nationwide. With a solid competition structure that includes promotion and relegation, we are optimistic that players will gain invaluable experience. We anticipate an exciting tournament and wish all teams the best of luck."
Opening Day Matches
The tournament's opening day will feature several matches:
- Hockey Andhra Pradesh vs. Assam Hockey at 7:00 am
- Hockey Mizoram vs. Le Puducherry Hockey at 8:45 am
- Goans Hockey vs. Hockey Jammu & Kashmir at 10:30 am
- Division 'B': Delhi Hockey vs. Telangana Hockey at 7:00 am
- Hockey Gujarat vs. Hockey Uttarakhand at 8:45 am
- Hockey Karnataka vs. Hockey Himachal at 10:30 am
- Chhattisgarh Hockey vs. Bihar (BSSA) at 4:00 pm