Hockey in India
IND
FIH Rankings
Hockey India: Olympic heritage and the WHIL revolution
— CULTIndian hockey is rooted in a hockey history older and richer than that of any other country in the world. Hockey India coordinates a sport that for decades won eight Olympic golds on the men's side and that, on the women's side, has experienced a societal turning point since Tokyo 2020. The state of Odisha has acted as primary sponsor of Hockey India since 2018, with the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar and the Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre as national hubs. The sport is therefore professionalised by state and provincial structures rather than by commercial markets.
What systemically sets India apart is the combination of tribal hockey roots and modern franchise infrastructure. Many top players come from Jharkhand, Odisha and other regions where hockey has been the dominant sport for generations - exemplified by Salima Tete from Simdega. In January 2025 the Women's Hockey India League launched as the first professional franchise competition for women, with teams like Odisha Warriors, Delhi SG Pipers, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers and Soorma Hockey Club. Deepika Sehrawat was bought by Delhi for 20 lakh rupees and Yibbi Jansen joined Odisha Warriors as a foreign star.
India's modern hockey history is unusually intertwined with Dutch coaching expertise. Sjoerd Marijne led the team between 2017 and 2021 to fourth place at the Tokyo Olympics. Janneke Schopman took over until February 2024, followed by Harendra Singh, whose tenure ended in internal conflict at the end of 2025. In January 2026 Marijne returned for a second era, arrived in Bengaluru on 14 January, and led the squad straight into the Qualifier in Hyderabad, where India qualified for the World Cup as finalist.
Everything you want to know about hockey in India
— LAYERS
National men's team
ranked 8 FIHOn 19 August 2026 India and Pakistan face each other again at the Wagener Stadium, for the first time at a World Cup since 2018. It is the oldest rivalry in world hockey, captured in a pool match that will fill the stands in Amstelveen. For India it is more than a marquee clash: it is the measure of a team that under South African head coach Craig Fulton has transformed from an attacking machine into a structured, defensively schooled unit.
Eight Olympic golds, a world title from 1975 and two Olympic bronzes in a row: few countries carry a hockey history like India's. But at a World Cup the country has waited half a century for a medal. The full dossier tells how this generation, with captain Harmanpreet Singh and record cap-holder Manpreet Singh, tries to complete the circle in Amstelveen.
National women's team
ranked 8 FIHOn the village pitch of Barki Chhapar, in the Simdega district of Jharkhand, a girl struck her first balls with a stick made of bamboo. The prizes at the little tournaments were goats and chickens, which she took home to help feed the family. That same girl, Salima Tete, will captain India in August 2026 at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, a stone's throw from where Indian women's hockey once took its first international steps. Her story is not the exception but the rule: the Women in Blue run on athletes from the tribal belt of Jharkhand and Odisha, the hockey villages of Haryana and the hills of Mizoram.
In this dossier you can read how the Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne returned to patch up a battered team, why India has struggled since Tokyo 2021 with the same affliction in the final quarter, and what makes the pool match against China on 16 August so charged. Read on for the complete portrait.
National club competition
website: September 2026
Reigning national champion: SG Pipers (2025-26)
Standings coming
Reigning national champion: Kalinga Lancers (2025-26)
Standings coming
FIH certified hockey fields
46 certified (5 expired)Category 1
0 certified (1 expired)Fields meeting the requirements for top-level international tournaments.
- Hockey Complex Gachibowli Stadium, HyderabadexpiredTigerTurfTigerTurf Wett Pro TTUK + 12mm In SituExpired: May 26, 2026Built by Altius Sports & Leisure Pvt. Ltd.
Category 2
41 certified (4 expired)Fields for international and top-level national competitions.
- Dasarath Deb State Sports Complex, AgartalaCCGrassFastPro HF13 + Insitu 15mm (Reduced watering)Valid until: May 16, 2027Built by Gallant Sports and Infra Private Limited
- Shahid Chandrashekhar Azad Synthetic Hockey Turf Stadium, BalaghatGreenfieldsGreenfields TX (v2.0) EL15Valid until: Feb 19, 2028Built by Syncotts International
- Indian Air Force Jalahalli Hockey Field, BangaloreFieldturfHockey Gold Speed L 13-31 IS 15Valid until: Jan 31, 2027Built by Great Sports tech Limited
- Sports Authority of India, NSSC, BangalorePolytanPoligras Tokyo GT 11-43 EL 10Valid until: Aug 17, 2027Built by Advanced Sports Technologies LLP
- Hockey Stadium Bathinda, BathindaGreenfieldsGreenfields TX (v2.0) EL15Valid until: Aug 12, 2028Built by Syncotts International
- Dhyanchand Stadium Bhopal (CRC), BhopalLano SportsS-tec Solution Xperience IS 15Valid until: Jan 6, 2028Built by Shiv Naresh Sports
- State Sports Academy Cum International Standard Modern Cricket Stadium, Rajgir, BiharLimonta SportsNewgrass MF/8 Hockey 13 EL15Valid until: Jun 10, 2028
- Coimbatore Corporation Hockey Ground, CoimbatoreCCGrassFastPro HF13 + Insitu 15mm (Reduced watering)Valid until: Nov 26, 2028
- Hockey Field at Fatehpur Sports College, FatehpurBellinturfBellin Hockey Supreme WB IN BValid until: Jul 10, 2028
- Naval Tata Hockey Academy Pitch No 2, GolmuriTigerTurfTigerTurf Wett Pro TTUK + 12mm In SituValid until: Sep 28, 2028Built by Altius Sports & Leisure
- Nehru Stadium, GurugramLano SportsS-tec Solution Xperience IS 15Valid until: Apr 29, 2027Built by SHIV NARESH SPORTS PVT LTD
- Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex, HaldwaniAct GlobalAct Sports Xtreme Turf NFH-R 13-390 EL15Valid until: Mar 12, 2028Built by Rayzon Global LLP
- Hockey Ground, Baijalpur, Dist. Fatehabad, HaryanaSports & LeisureDomo Fastplay IS 15Valid until: Apr 25, 2028Built by Gallant Sports and Infra
- Khel Nagari Dumurjala, HowrahTigerTurfTigerTurf Wett Pro TTUK + 12mm In SituValid until: May 14, 2027Built by Altius Sports & Leisure PVT Ltd
- The Daly College Hockey Ground, IndoreGreenfieldsGreenfields TX (v2.0) EL15Valid until: Apr 6, 2029Built by Syncotts International
- Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, JalandharFieldturfHockey Gold Speed S 13-36 IS 15Valid until: Feb 24, 2027Built by Great Sports Tech
- Saheed Darshan Singh K.P Stadium, Mithapur, JalandharCC GrassFastPro HF13 + Insitu 15mm (Reduced Watering)Valid until: Oct 7, 2026Built by Shiv Naresh Sports PVT Ltd
- Hockey Field - Khel Goan Nagrota, JammuLano SportsS-tec Solution Xperience IS 15Valid until: Jul 25, 2028Built by Shiv Naresh Sports
- Shivaji Stadium, JammuLano SportsS-tec Solution Xperience IS 15Valid until: Jul 30, 2027Built by Shiv Naresh Sports
- SAI Training Centre Hazaribagh, JharkhandFieldturfPoligras Tokyo GT 11-43 EL 10Valid until: Jan 12, 2027
- Municipal Hockey Ground, KadapaFieldTurfHockey Gold Speed L 13-31Valid until: Nov 28, 2027Built by Great Sportstech Limited
- Karnal Hockey Stadium by Karnal Smart City Limited, KarnalAct GlobalXtreme Turf NFH13 EL15Valid until: Dec 8, 2026Built by Chadha Sports
- Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) School, KochiFieldturfHOCKEY GOLD SPEED L 13-31 IS 15Valid until: Dec 10, 2026Built by Great Sports Tech Limited
- Maharaja College Hockey Stadium, KochiFieldTurfHockey Gold Speed L 13-31 IS 15Valid until: May 29, 2028Built by Great Sportstech Limited
- Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium, KolhapurPolytanPoligras Tokyo GT 11-43 MB EL 10Valid until: Nov 15, 2028Built by Advanced Sport Technologies LLP
- Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Salt Lake, KolkataGreenfieldsGreenfields TX (v2.0) EL15Valid until: Dec 13, 2027Built by Syncotts International
- Hockey Field at Kurukshetra University, KurukshetraAct SportsXtreme Turf NFH13Valid until: Aug 20, 2028Built by Chadha Sports
- Punjab Agricultural University, LudhianaGreenfieldsGreenfields TX V2.0Valid until: Sep 23, 2028Built by Syncotts International
- District Sports Complex, MaduraiPolytanPoligras Paris GT 11-43 EL 15Valid until: Nov 17, 2028Built by Advanced Sports Technologies LLP
- Hockey Field at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Sports Stadium, MauBellinturfBellin Hockey Supreme WB IN BValid until: Jul 8, 2028
- Senior Balbir Singh international hockey stadium, MohaliLano SportsS-tec Solution Xperience IS 15Valid until: Jul 15, 2028Built by Shiv Naresh Sports
- State Sports Academy cum International Standard Modern Cricket Stadium at Rajgir, Simdega, NalandaPolytanPoligras Platinum CoolPlus 11-42 EL10Valid until: Sep 25, 2027Built by Advanced Sports Technologies LLP
- Khashaba Jadhav Sports complex, Savitribai Phule Pune University, PuneFieldTurfHockey Gold Speed L 13-31Valid until: Nov 28, 2027Built by Great Sportstech Limited
- Hockey Field, Bhana Sports Complex, RajsamandCC GrassFastPro HF13 + Insitu 15mm (Reduced Watering)Valid until: Oct 17, 2026Built by Gallant Sports and Infra Private Limited
- Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium - Pitch 1, RourkelaPolytanPOLIGRAS PLATINIUM GT 11-42 MB EL 10Valid until: Feb 28, 2028
- Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium - Pitch 2, RourkelaPolytanPOLIGRAS PLATINIUM GT 11-42 MB EL 10Valid until: Feb 29, 2028
- International Hockey Stadium, Simdega, SimdegaCCGrassFastPro HF13 + Insitu 15mm (Reduced watering)Valid until: Oct 10, 2027Built by Shiv Naresh Sports
- District Sports Complex at Ariyalur District, Tamilnadu (SDAT)Sports & Leisure - Domo Sports GrassDomo Fastplay IS 15Valid until: Apr 8, 2029Built by Gallant Sports and Infra
- District Sports Complex in Tiruvannamalai District, Tamilnadu (SDAT)Sports & Leisure - Domo Sports GrassDomo Fastplay IS 15Valid until: Apr 9, 2029Built by Gallant Sports and Infra
- Hockey AstroTurf Khel Parisar Dhonga Ground, TikamgarhLano SportsS-tec Solution Xperience IS 15Valid until: Jan 1, 2028Built by Shiv Naresh Sports
- Hockey Turf Field at UP College Ground, VaranasiSports & LeisureDomo FastPlay IS 15Valid until: Jan 8, 2029Built by Gallant Sports and Infra
- Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, EgmoreexpiredPolytanPoligras Paris GT Zero 11-43 MB EL 10Expired: Jul 26, 2026Built by Advanced Sports Technologies LLP
- Hockey Astroturf GSSS Majra District Sirmour, Poanta sahibexpiredLanoS-tec Solution Xperience IS 15Expired: Jul 19, 2026Built by Shiv Naresh Sports Pvt Ltd.
- YSR Integrated Sports Academy, PulivendulaexpiredCC GrassFastPro HF13 EL15Expired: Aug 1, 2026
- Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium, SeoniexpiredGreenfieldsGreenfields TX (V2.0) EL15Expired: Sep 2, 2026Built by Syncotts International
Category 3
4 certifiedFields for lower-level national, regional and club play.
- Hockey Field, INS Rajali, ArakkonamAct SportsXtremeTurf SDH-R 22-260 EL15 SValid until: Mar 17, 2029Built by Rayzon Global LLP
- Agricultural Development Trust Baramati, Shardanagar, BaramatiGreenfieldsGreenfields TX SD s EL10Valid until: Mar 25, 2029Built by Syncotts International
- Hockey Field at integrated Sports Complex, HubballiLimonta SportsNewgrass MF/8 Hockey 18 EL15Valid until: Nov 13, 2028
- Shri Kalyan Astro Turf, Phulia Kalan, RajasthanBellinturfBellin Hockey Supreme 18 In BValid until: Dec 2, 2028
Category 5
1 certifiedSurfaces mainly intended for football that also allow basic development hockey.
- Ezhimala Naval Academy, Ramanthali, Kannur District, KeralaGreenfieldsGreenfields Slide Max Pro 40 145 13.2 s sbr EL15Valid until: Feb 5, 2027Built by Syncotts International
Coaches
Coming soon
Referees
Coming soon
India hockey teams at the FIH WC 2026
— WK26Amstelveen, Nederland
Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHN | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 5 | +6 | 7 |
| 2 | IND | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 5 |
| 3 | ENG | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 4 |
| 4 | RSA | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 15 | -13 | 0 |
India finished 2nd in Pool D and play in Pool E in phase 2. Their new opponents come from Pool A: Netherlands (1st) and Australia (2nd). Pool rival China (1st in Pool D) is also in Pool E; that match was already played in phase 1. Pool E competes for places 1 to 8, with the top two reaching the semifinals.
Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NED | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 9 |
| 2 | AUS | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 2 |
| 3 | IND | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 2 |
| 4 | CHN | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 2 |
Knockout phase
Amstelveen, Nederland
Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ENG | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 5 | +11 | 9 |
| 2 | IND | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 8 | +2 | 6 |
| 3 | PAK | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 12 | -5 | 1 |
| 4 | WAL | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 14 | -8 | 1 |
India finished 2nd in Pool D and play in Pool E in phase 2. Their new opponents come from Pool A: Netherlands (1st) and Argentina (2nd). Pool rival England (1st in Pool D) is also in Pool E; that match was already played in phase 1. Pool E competes for places 1 to 8, with the top two reaching the semifinals.
Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NED | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 7 |
| 2 | ARG | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 7 | +2 | 6 |
| 3 | ENG | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | IND | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 12 | -6 | 0 |
Knockout phase
Historical highlights India
— HIST1925
Indian Hockey Federation founded
Birth of one of the oldest hockey federations in the world.
1928
Olympic gold Amsterdam (men)
First of eight consecutive Olympic gold medals for India in the men's competition.
1974
First Women's World Cup appearance
India debuts at the Women's World Cup in Mandelieu.
2017
Sjoerd Marijne becomes head coach
Dutch coach starts his first era with the Indian women's team.
2021
Fourth place at the Tokyo Olympics
Historic best result for the Indian women's team at the Olympic Games.
2025
Women's Hockey India League debut
First professional franchise competition for women in India launches.
2026
Marijne returns, World Cup qualification
Sjoerd Marijne comes back and leads India to the FIH Qualifier final in Hyderabad.
2026
World Cup 2026
Women: 5th place. Men: 8th place.