Overview

• The next Hockey India League will be staged in January 2026 at three venues, likely including Ranchi and either Rourkela or Bhubaneswar.
• The men's competition will remain an eight-team field, while talks are underway to expand the women's league to six teams from four.
• Gonasika and women's champions Odisha Warriors have withdrawn after one season, with Hockey India indicating replacements are prepared.
• Players from the two withdrawn franchises and other released athletes will enter a mini auction planned for late September or early October.
• Hockey India paid delayed Odisha Warriors salaries using the team's prize money, and northern cities are unlikely hosts due to winter fog disruptions.