Hockey India League

The first event in the league format in India was a hockey league named the Premier Hockey League organised by ESPN-Star Sports, Indian Hockey Federation and Leisure Sports Management from 2005 to 2008.{{Cite web |title=Premier Hockey League India - PHL India - Indian Premier Hockey League |url=https://www.iloveindia.com/sports/hockey/premier-hockey-league.html |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=www.iloveindia.com}} It was based on the model of NBA league. It was a pioneer in Indian sports which inspired the Indian Premier League and many others that followed.

Later in 2012, the Indian Hockey Federation and Nimbus began World Series Hockey, a professional field hockey league in India.{{cite news|last1=Pande|first1=Bhanu|title=IPL impact: 5 new sports leagues come up in 18 months, non-cricket sports have no dearth of sponsors|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-03-12/news/31153358_1_indian-premier-league-title-sponsor-ipl|access-date=17 February 2016|work=Economic Times|date=12 March 2012|archive-date=25 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225071300/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-03-12/news/31153358_1_indian-premier-league-title-sponsor-ipl|url-status=dead}} After the success of the league, Hockey India announced the formation of their own franchise-based league, launched in mid-2012, known as the Hockey India League. The league was approved by the International Hockey Federation. The league was originally planned to have six teams, which would be established after the bidding was done for the twelve proposed cities that would host an HIL team.{{cite news|title=Hockey India announces plans for new league|url=http://www.fih.ch/news/hockey-india-announces-plans-for-new-league/|access-date=17 February 2016|work=International Hockey Federation|date=5 June 2012|archive-date=24 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224080152/http://www.fih.ch/news/hockey-india-announces-plans-for-new-league/|url-status=live}} However, due to lack of interest in a sixth city, the league commenced in 2013 with five teams.{{cite news|last1=Sahni|first1=Jaspreet|title=Hockey India League Auction: the final squads list|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/hockey-india-league-auction-the-final-squads-list-526916.html|access-date=17 February 2016|work=IBN Live|date=12 December 2012|archive-date=17 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417062517/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/hockey-india-league-auction-the-final-squads-list-526916.html|url-status=live}} Before the beginning of the season, ESPN STAR Sports was announced as the league's official broadcasting partner on a five-year deal.{{cite news|last1=Nag|first1=Ashoke|title=Hockey India enters into broadcast deal with ESPN-STAR|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-07-31/news/32943621_1_hockey-india-narinder-batra-espn-star-sports|access-date=17 February 2016|work=Economic Times|date=31 July 2012|archive-date=25 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225091739/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-07-31/news/32943621_1_hockey-india-narinder-batra-espn-star-sports|url-status=dead}}

The first match was played on 14 January 2013, as Delhi Waveriders defeated the Punjab Warriors 2–1 at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium.{{cite news|last1=Sahni|first1=Jaspreet|title=Punjab suffer from own goals against Delhi|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/hil-punjab-suffer-from-own-goals-against-delhi-531617.html|access-date=17 February 2016|work=IBN Live|date=14 January 2013|archive-date=19 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319001043/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/hil-punjab-suffer-from-own-goals-against-delhi-531617.html|url-status=live}} The league had gained some buzz from the marquee signings of India internationals Sardara Singh and Sandeep Singh, as well as the signings of foreign players such as Jamie Dwyer, Moritz Fürste, and Teun de Nooijer.{{cite news|title=Hockey India League names three Indians among six 'Marquee Players'|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/hockey/news/199962-hockey-india-league-names-three-indians-among-six-marquee-players|access-date=17 February 2016|work=NDTV Sports|date=29 November 2012|archive-date=24 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224081129/http://sports.ndtv.com/hockey/news/199962-hockey-india-league-names-three-indians-among-six-marquee-players|url-status=live}} The inaugural season ended with Ranchi Rhinos being the first champions, defeating the Delhi Waveriders 2–1 in the final.{{cite web|title=Ranchi Rhinos 2-1 Delhi Waveriders|url=http://league.hockeyindia.org/images/stories/2013/02/HHIL2013-M34-RAN-V-DEW.pdf|website=Hockey India|access-date=17 February 2016|archive-date=2 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802054759/http://league.hockeyindia.org/images/stories/2013/02/HHIL2013-M34-RAN-V-DEW.pdf|url-status=live}} The league was considered a success immediately in the years following the inaugural season.{{cite news|title=Hockey India League: The new face of hockey|url=http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/09/09/hockey-india-league-the-new-face-of-hockey/|access-date=17 February 2016|work=The Roar|date=9 September 2015|archive-date=25 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225103401/http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/09/09/hockey-india-league-the-new-face-of-hockey/|url-status=live}}

Before the beginning of the second season, Kalinga Lancers were announced as the sixth team in the Hockey India League.{{cite news|title=Kalinga Lancers latest to join Hockey India league|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/hockey/kalinga-lancers-latest-to-join-hockey-india-league-529.html|access-date=17 February 2016|work=India TV News|date=20 November 2013|archive-date=24 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224163506/http://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/hockey/kalinga-lancers-latest-to-join-hockey-india-league-529.html|url-status=live}} However, after the 2014 season, the league suffered its first setback when the Mumbai Magicians disbanded.{{cite news|last1=Vasavda|first1=Mihir|title=Mumbai Magicians pull out of HIL; two new teams may be drafted in|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/hockey/mumbai-magicians-pull-out-of-hil-two-new-teams-may-be-drafted-in/|access-date=17 February 2016|work=Indian Express|date=4 September 2014|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305124550/http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/hockey/mumbai-magicians-pull-out-of-hil-two-new-teams-may-be-drafted-in/|url-status=live}} The team was swiftly replaced though with Dabang Mumbai being launched before the 2015 season.{{cite news|title=DoIT Sports Management Takes To Hockey India League 2015 With 'Dabang Mumbai'|url=http://hockeyindia.org/news/doit-sports-management-takes-to-hockey-india-league-2015-with-dabang-mumbai.html|access-date=17 February 2016|work=Hockey India|date=14 November 2014|archive-date=24 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224062113/http://hockeyindia.org/news/doit-sports-management-takes-to-hockey-india-league-2015-with-dabang-mumbai.html|url-status=live}} The league though suffered another setback before the 2015 season when Ranchi Rhinos, the inaugural champions, were disbanded after an ownership problem. The team though, like with Mumbai, was quickly replaced with Ranchi Rays.{{cite news|title=MS Dhoni becomes co-owner of Ranchi hockey franchisee|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/hockey/ms-dhoni-becomes-co-owner-of-ranchi-hockey-franchisee/|access-date=17 February 2016|work=Indian Express|date=25 October 2014|archive-date=8 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208180209/http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/hockey/ms-dhoni-becomes-co-owner-of-ranchi-hockey-franchisee/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/hockey/hil-to-make-grand-return-in-nov-dec-2019-hockey-india-ceo-4971307/ |title=HIL to make grand return in Nov-Dec 2019: Hockey India CEO |date=6 December 2017 |access-date=7 December 2017 |archive-date=6 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206230329/http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/hockey/hil-to-make-grand-return-in-nov-dec-2019-hockey-india-ceo-4971307/ |url-status=live }}

Seven years later, Hockey India League was revived with its 2024–25 edition.{{cite news|title=Hockey India planning to revive HIL in 2024|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/top-stories/hockey-india-planning-to-revive-hil-in-2024/articleshow/99380631.cms|date=10 April 2023|work=The Time of India}}{{cite news|title=Hockey India announces exclusive Commercial and Marketing Agency for the re-launch of Hockey India League|url=https://www.hockeyindia.org/news/hockey-india-announces-exclusive-commercial-and-marketing-agency-for-the-re-launch-of-hockey-india-league|date=10 April 2023|work=Hockey India}}

Previously, HIL used to consist of six teams, with the regular season from January to February, each team playing 10 games.{{cite news |date=16 February 2016 |title=Hockey India League: Mumbai beat Uttar Pradesh to keep semifinal hopes alive |url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/sports/hockey-india-league-mumbai-beat-uttar-pradesh-to-keep-semifinal-hopes-alive-1203933.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220073644/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/sports/hockey-india-league-mumbai-beat-uttar-pradesh-to-keep-semifinal-hopes-alive-1203933.html |archive-date=20 February 2016 |access-date=17 February 2016 |work=IBN Live}} The top four teams at the end of the season move into the play-offs, where the game decides the Hockey India League winner.{{cite news |date=16 January 2016 |title=Hockey India League 2016: Everything you want to know |url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/hockey/hockey-india-league-2016-everything-you-want-to-know-1190621.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223201137/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/hockey/hockey-india-league-2016-everything-you-want-to-know-1190621.html |archive-date=23 February 2016 |access-date=17 February 2016 |work=IBN Live}}

Since 2024, the teams have been expanded to eight. Meanwhile, the league's addition of the women's tournament will see six teams in its inaugural edition.

If there is a tie in any match then there would be extra time. Still, if winner is not decided, there would be a shoot-out. If still the winner is not decided there would be no option left other than penalty strokes.

{{Location map+

|India3

|width=400

|caption= Locations of HIL teams
8px Both
8px Men's
8px Women's

|places=

{{Location map~ |India |lat=17.38 |long=78.48 |mark=Blue-pink pog.png |label=Hyderabad Toofans |position=left}}

{{Location map~ |India |lat=28.36 |long=77.13 |mark=Blue-pink pog.png |label=Delhi SG Pipers |position=left}}

{{Location map~ |India |lat=30.75 |long=76.78 |mark=Blue-pink pog.png |label=Soorma Hockey Club |position=right}}

{{Location map~ |India |lat=22.57 |long=88.36 |mark=Blue-pink pog.png |label=Rarh Bengal Tigers |position=right}}

{{Location map~ |India |lat=20.29 |long=85.82 |mark=Blue pog.svg |label=Kalinga Lancers |position=right}}

{{Location map~ |India |lat=17.68 |long=83.21 |mark=Blue pog.svg |label=Team Gonasika |position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |India |lat=13.08 |long=80.27 |mark=Blue pog.svg |label=Tamil Nadu Dragons |position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |India |lat=26.84 |long=80.94 |mark=Blue pog.svg |label=UP Rudras |position=right}}

{{Location map~ |India |lat=22.14 |long=84.48 |mark=Pink pog.svg |label=Odisha Warriors |position=left}}

{{Location map~ |India |lat=19.07 |long=72.87 |mark=Pink pog.svg |label=Team Mumbai |position=left}}

|float=center}}

DateFormat = yyyy

ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20

Period = from:2013 till:2026

TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal

Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom

PlotArea = right:55 left:0 bottom:75 top:0

Colors =

id:line value:pink

id:Full value:rgb(0.742,0.727,0.852) legend:League_member

id:Former value:rgb(0.4,0.80,0.67) legend:Former_member

id:Future value:rgb(0.5,0.7,0.95) legend:Future_member

PlotData=

width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:S

bar:1 color:Former from:2013 till:2017 text: Delhi Waveriders (2013–2017)

bar:1 color:Full from:2024 till:end text: Delhi SG Pipers (2024–present)

bar:2 color:Former from:2013 till:2014 text: Mumbai Magicians (2013–2014)

bar:2 color:Former from:2015 till:2017 text: Dabang Mumbai (2015–2017)

bar:2 color:Future from:2025 till:end text: Team Mumbai (2025–present)

bar:3 color:Former from:2013 till:2017 text: Punjab Warriors (2013–2017)

bar:3 color:Full from:2024 till:end text: Soorma Hockey Club (2024–present)

bar:4 color:Former from:2013 till:2014 text: Ranchi Rhinos (2013–2014)

bar:4 color:Former from:2015 till:2017 text: Ranchi Rays (2015–2017)

bar:4 color:Full from:2024 till:end text: Odisha Warriors (2024–present)

bar:5 color:Former from:2013 till:2017 text: Uttar Pradesh Wizards (2013–2017)

bar:5 color:Full from:2024 till:end text: UP Rudras (2024–present)

bar:6 color:Full from:2014 till:end text: Kalinga Lancers (2014–present)

bar:7 color:Full from:2024 till:end text: Hyderabad Toofans (2024–present)

bar:8 color:Full from:2024 till:end text: Rarh Bengal Tigers (2024–present)

bar:9 color:Full from:2024 till:end text: Tamil Nadu Dragons (2024–present)

bar:10 color:Full from:2024 till:end text: Team Gonasika (2024–present)

ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:1 start:2013

TextData =

fontsize:L

textcolor:black

pos:(0,30) tabs:(400-center)

text:

• Winning Team: ₹3 crore
• 2nd Place: ₹2 crore
• 3rd Place: ₹1 crore
• Best Goalkeeper: ₹10 lakhs
• Top Scorer: ₹10 lakhs
• Up-and-Coming Player: ₹10 lakhs
• Player of the Tournament: ₹20 lakhs each
• Player of every Match: ₹0.5 lakh each

• Winning Team: ₹1.5 crore
• 2nd Place: ₹1.5 crore
• 3rd Place: ₹50 lakhs
• Best Goalkeeper: ₹5 lakhs
• Top Scorer: ₹5 lakhs
• Up-and-Coming Player: ₹5 lakhs
• Player of the Tournament: ₹20 lakhs each
• Player of every Match: ₹0.5 lakh each

Source: [https://www.thehindu.com/sport/hil-increases-prize-money/article69075819.ece The Hindu]

Before the league's first season, Hockey India appointed Steve Catton as competitions director.{{cite news| url= http://ibnlive.in.com/news/steve-catton-appointed-hockey-india-league-director/299747-5-136.html | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131206154112/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/steve-catton-appointed-hockey-india-league-director/299747-5-136.html | url-status= dead | archive-date= 6 December 2013 | title= Steve Catton appointed Hockey India League director |publisher=IBN Live |date=25 Oct 2012 |access-date=12 Oct 2012 |location=New Delhi}} Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla, leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley, and media personality Rajat Sharma are the members of the board for the Hockey India League.{{cite news |url=http://hockeyindia.org/pdf/HOCKEY%20INDIA%20LEAGUE%20BOARD%20250712.pdf |title=Rajeev Shukla, Arun Jaitley & Rajat Sharma join Hockey India League (HIL) Board |publisher=Hockey India |date=25 Jul 2012 |access-date=20 Sep 2012 |location=New Delhi }}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Along with Steve Catton, Barry Anderson was appointed as the tournament director.{{cite news| url=http://www.sify.com/news/anderson-named-hockey-india-league-tournament-director-news-national-mmcnufhbadd.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202234008/http://www.sify.com/news/Anderson-named-Hockey-India-League-tournament-director-news-National-mmcnufhbadd.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=2 December 2012 | title= Anderson named Hockey India League tournament director |website=Sify |date=2 Dec 2012 |access-date=5 Dec 2012 |location=New Delhi}}

Hockey India appointed Todd Faulds as its competitions director for the second edition of the Hockey India League.{{cite news|url=http://league.hockeyindia.org/news/hero-hockey-india-league-appoints-todd-faulds-as-its-director-competitions/|title=Hero Hockey India League appoints Todd Faulds as its Director Competitions|publisher=Hockey India|date=17 July 2013|access-date=17 July 2013|location=New Delhi|archive-date=2 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202103314/http://league.hockeyindia.org/news/hero-hockey-india-league-appoints-todd-faulds-as-its-director-competitions/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/hockey/210920-hockey-india-league-todd-faulds-appointed-as-director-competitions|title=Hockey India League: Todd Faulds appointed as Director Competitions|publisher=NDTV|date=17 July 2013|access-date=17 July 2013|location=New Delhi|archive-date=8 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908035313/http://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/hockey/210920-hockey-india-league-todd-faulds-appointed-as-director-competitions|url-status=live}} He previously worked as a competitions manager for the FIH 2012 Men's Champions Trophy in Melbourne and 2012 International Super Series in Perth.

Bjorn Isberg has been the Hockey India League tournament director since 2014. Isberg had served as tournament director for the 2012 London Olympics field hockey tournament, and three Champions Trophy tournaments (in 2004, 2007, and 2011).{{cite news| url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/hockey-india-league-appoints-bjorn-isberg-as-tournament-director/430217-5-136.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205211028/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/hockey-india-league-appoints-bjorn-isberg-as-tournament-director/430217-5-136.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=5 December 2013| title=Hockey India League appoints Bjorn Isberg as Tournament Director|publisher=CNN-IBN|date=24 October 2013|access-date=24 October 2013|location=New Delhi}}

• Sports in India
• Field hockey in India
• Premier Hockey League
• World Series Hockey

{{Reflist}}

{{Hockey India League}}

{{Field Hockey in India}}

{{Sports leagues of India}}

{{Field hockey leagues}}

{{Authority control}}

1

Category:Professional sports leagues in India

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