India’s Hockey League at a Crossroad: A Revival in Crisis

The Hockey India League (HIL) returned in late 2024 after a seven-year break, pitched as a leaner, more sustainable version with hub venues and a central revenue pool. But just one season in, the league is already struggling with the same problems that ended its first run in 2017: high costs, low revenues, and unpaid player salaries.

Within months of its revival, three franchises have withdrawn, champions have defaulted on salaries, and Hockey India itself has stepped in to cover dues. The pattern raises tough questions about whether HIL can become financially viable or will echo the problems that ended its first run. The crisis has sparked debate not just about HIL’s future but also about the viability of non-cricket leagues in India’s sports market. For hockey, India’s national game, the stakes are especially high.

Teams Pulling Out

By September 2025, three franchises have withdrawn from the upcoming HIL season:

• Team Gonasika (Vizag Men’s) dissolved despite paying fees, citing “personal problems.”
• Odisha Warriors (Women’s champions) failed to pay players; HIL had to use their ₹1 crore prize money to cover salaries.
• UP Rudras (Lucknow Men’s) withdrew, with director Cedric D’Souza explaining the decision, saying:

"We value what the league has brought to Indian hockey, but sustainability challenges made continuation untenable.”

New franchises have already stepped in, with Ranchi Royal Tuskers purchasing teams in both the men’s and women’s leagues to replace Gonasika and Odisha Warriors. Players from dissolved teams re-entered the Sept 24 auction pool.

Financial Fault Lines

An Indian Express analysis showed teams spent ₹14–15 crore each in 2024–25 (franchise fee + player purse), with costs rising to nearly ₹18 crore after logistics. Yet revenue was minimal: neutral venues meant no local ticketing, central sponsorship was modest, and broadcast fees were weak.

Key financial shortfalls included:

• Limited Revenue Model: HIL has struggled to generate strong revenue from broadcasters and large sponsors. Although there are broadcast deals, their financial contribution appears lower than expected, and many matches being held in neutral venues prevent home ticketing and local sponsorships from contributing meaningfully.
• High Fixed Costs: Expenses like travel, accommodation, and venue costs remain high. While using hub or neutral venues helps reduce some overhead, the resulting loss of home stadium income still leaves a big gap between costs and revenue.
• Player Contracting and Purses: For the 2026 mini-auction, the salary caps were set at ₹4 crore for men’s teams and ₹2 crore for women’s. Several franchises and media reports signaled that these limits, combined with scheduling conflicts and relatively low bids, made it harder to secure some top international talent.
• Unpaid Dues & Delayed Payments: After the inaugural Women’s HIL concluded in January 2025, reports in March revealed that several players had received only 20% of their contracted payments. By May, the situation had escalated further: men’s champions Bengal Tigers still owed over 30% of player and staff salaries, while women’s winners Odisha Warriors had defaulted almost entirely, forcing HI to divert their ₹1 crore prize money to cover pending wages.

Holding the Line and Planning Ahead

Hockey India has tried to project stability amid turbulence. President Dilip Tirkey reiterated that the league will continue with “eight men’s teams and at least four women’s teams,” and that HIL 2026 will expand to a third venue (Chennai) to broaden reach.

Crucially, after the UP Rudras’ exit, the HIL Governing Council assumed control of the team’s operations to ensure continuity. Retained players remained with the council-managed side, while the rest went back into the auction pool. HIL also hinted at waiving franchise fees for the next three years to ease financial strain on teams and encourage stability until revenues grow.

The mini auction on Sept 24, 2025, went ahead as planned, with over 200 players (men and women) under the hammer, with top international names like Liam Henderson (₹42 lakh) and Agustina Gorzelany (₹42 lakh) drawing strong bids, while young Indian talent like Vivek Lakra (₹23 lakh) also found takers. The demand showed that, despite turmoil, franchises remain committed to building squads.

The Challenge for Indian Sports Leagues

HIL’s struggles echo a wider reality: in India, non-cricket leagues face uphill battles. Even in a country with deep hockey roots, the sport has yet to attract the big corporate or TV muscle that powers cricket. Unless HIL secures stronger sponsorship, broadcast deals, and fan engagement, it risks repeating the short-lived fate of its first run.

The league stands at a crossroads—between becoming a stable platform for Indian hockey or yet another cautionary tale in the country’s sports economy. For a nation that once dominated world hockey, the struggle to keep its own league alive is telling. The choice is stark: build a sustainable legacy, or watch history repeat itself.