Overview
- Running January 3–26, the men’s HIL spans Chennai, Ranchi and Bhubaneswar, with the final set for Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
- The opener pits home side Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons against last season’s runners-up Hyderabad Toofans at Chennai’s Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium.
- The eight-team field includes defending champions Shrachi Bengal Tigers, debutants Ranchi Royals and HIL GC stepping in for the former UP Rudras.
- The format is a single round-robin with all teams playing once, sending the top four into Qualifier 1, an Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and a January 26 final.
- Squads mix leading India internationals—Harmanpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh and Hardik Singh—with foreign stars Tom Boon, Arthur Van Doren and Alexander Hendrickx, plus Junior World Cup medalists.