Hockey India League
Hockey India League or HIL (also known as the Coal India Hockey India League) is a professional field hockey league in India. The league is organized by Hockey India, the governing body for the sport in India. HIL, along with the Indian Premier League, Indian Super League, and Pro Kabaddi League, is considered one of the major sports leagues in the country. HIL consists of six teams, with the regular season lasting two months from January to February, with each team playing 10 games. The top four teams at the end of the season move into the play-offs, where the championship game decides the Hockey India League winner.
| Most recent season or competition: 2017 Hockey India League | |
| Founded | 2013 |
|---|---|
| First season | 2013 |
| Administrator | Hockey India |
| No. of teams | 6 |
| Country | India |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Most recent champion(s) | Kalinga Lancers (2017) |
| Most titles | 5 teams
|
| Tournament format | Triple round-robin and knock-out |
| Official website | league |
Hockey India League was founded in 2013 as part of Hockey India's attempt to get an International Hockey Federation sanctioned league after the un-sanctioned World Series Hockey, began in 2012. The first season took place in 2013 with five teams. Since beginning, the league has proven to be a financial success for Hockey India, who were in financial disarray before the league began. In 2015, it was reported that the federation earned a profit from the league and television revenues.
The most recent champion of the Hockey India League is Kalinga Lancers, who won the tournament in 2017. Ranchi Rhinos, Delhi Waveriders, Ranchi Rays and Punjab Warriors have also won the league. The next season of Hockey India League is set to be revived in 2024.