The inaugural edition of the Women’s Hockey India League (HIL-W) can be best compared to that one terrifying ride at a theme park. You break out in a cold sweat and call out to all your gods the moment you are strapped in, but once it winds up, you’re somehow left craving for more.
The build-up to what is currently the only commercial hockey league for women across the globe wasn’t particularly encouraging. Conducted under the auspices of Hockey India, the tournament saw several key pullouts by foreign players ahead of the season. With a total purse of Rs. 2 crore per team and the highest base price slab of Rs. 10 lakh, underbids at the auction were largely to blame for this.
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Moreover, a legal issue led to the deferral of two additional teams — Hyderabad Toofans and a Mumbai-based franchise by BC Jindal Group — until the next season. Rumours suggested that another corporate group was on the verge of reneging on its promises just before the season, but the issue was addressed in time.
However, once the floodlights came on at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in the heart of Ranchi, the teething troubles were soon relegated to distant memories. Riveting end-to-end action over 13 matchdays culminated in Neha Goyal’s Odisha Warriors lifting the glitzy trophy.
The pitch was a major talking point throughout the tournament, with India men’s coach Craig Fulton, Team Gonasika captain Manpreet Singh, and Toofans’ Gonzalo Peillat, among many others, claiming that the Ranchi turf was excessively ‘bumpy,’ which made trapping the ball difficult during penalty corners.
“The surface is pretty much new, so it will take some time to become more stable. At the moment, it is very bumpy, and there were mistakes in the receptions. Maybe in one to two years, it will be perfect,” Peillat told Sportstar.
Looking back at the tournament, it seems that Hockey India’s best decision was to forgo the revenue it would have generated from ticket sales by offering free entry for both the men’s and women’s competitions. The RSVPing process, although online, also ran smoothly.
Jharkhand, arguably home to some of the most knowledgeable hockey fans in the country after Odisha, responded enthusiastically to the offer, filling the stands in team jerseys even on weekdays. A special mention must go to the DJ, who did a fantastic job of hyping the mood with peppy Nagpuri (not to be confused with the city in Maharashtra) tracks. However, there were a few questionable song choices, with misogynistic lyrics being blasted through speakers while introducing the all-women line-ups.
What further helped attract a capacity crowd was a largely successful advertising campaign. The message was widely propagated through newspapers, social media channels, and massive flex banners around the city. The decision to provide information in the local language also helped engage the audience.
Paid premium seating could have been introduced as a lucrative add-on, with perks such as a dinner buffet, the opportunity to interact with stars, and chances to win signed merchandise.
Franchises could also take a cue from the Indian Premier League (IPL) by organising meet-and-greet events in key city hubs, like Nucleus Mall on Circular Road or the Ranchi Market, just a stone’s throw from where two of the four teams were based.
One recurring opinion among players and coaches alike was the challenge of coping with a cramped calendar. The round trip to Rourkela, where each team played once, only added to the woes.
“It has become very difficult for us. We wake up, hit the gym, have breakfast, attend a team meeting, warm up, and barely have time for lunch before heading to the stadium. In the midst of all that, there are sponsored shoots and events, plus interactions with you guys (media), sometimes (laughs). Some of the foreign players were very pissed the other day,” a Warriors player said off the record on the sidelines of the tournament.
JSW Soorma Hockey Club boss Jude Menezes remarked, “We travelled for two days to play one game in Rourkela. I understand the need to spread the game, but it remains a physical challenge. Travelling by bus took a lot out of our athletes. That’s something I’d like to see changed.”
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When asked whether the HIL caravan needed to make more stops in different cities, India women’s coach Harendra Singh said, “It’s a huge ask. The broadcast team has to carry all its equipment. The budgetary aspect also needs to be considered. And the franchises move too, of course. It depends on whether you’re aiming for sustainable, longer models like the IPL or the ISL (Indian Super League) or just a 4-5 year plan. Personally, the longer HIL runs, the more it benefits Indian hockey.”
The HIL has arrived at an opportune moment — right as the Indian women’s team is undergoing a steady but gradual transition. After an unprecedented fourth-place finish in Tokyo, India failed to secure a ticket to the Paris Olympics. The team found its lost spirit again when it won the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir, Bihar.
Now, this competition is expected to help Harendra and newly appointed captain Salima Tete identify and work around a core group of athletes in the lead-up to the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. It is understood that the Soorma pair of Sonam (the upcoming player of the tournament) and Jyoti (player of the tournament), along with Warriors’ Annu, are the three young players who have impressed the selection committee the most, with discussions already underway.
Additionally, the recently concluded edition served as a dry run for the FIH Pro League, which kicks off on February 15, with India set to face Spain, Germany, England, and the mighty Netherlands in Bhubaneswar. Later in June, it will take on China, Australia, Argentina, and Belgium. The Pro League will also serve as a qualifier for the 2026 Hockey World Cup.
The HIL-W’s success may end up setting an example for other emerging franchise leagues to follow. There is already considerable buzz regarding a business conglomerate showing interest in establishing a team based in Ranchi. The veracity of this claim, however, is yet to be confirmed.