Kalinga Lancers claim men’s title as SG Pipers win women’s final in Bhubaneswar in Hero Hockey India League
HILS’s 7th season finishes strong at iconic Kalinga Stadium
The seventh season of the Hero Hockey India League (HIL) concluded at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, eastern India, with tightly contested finals that showcased the league’s growing competitive depth and international appeal. Played across a round-robin and knockout format, the 2025-26 season featured eight men’s teams and four women’s teams, producing 33 matches and 166 goals.
The 16,000-seat Kalinga Hockey Stadium has become a focal point for elite hockey in India since hosting the 2023 Men’s Hockey World Cup. Additional matches during the season were played at Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai, which features a Poligras Paris GT Zero surface, delivering carbon-neutral performance at elite level.
Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai
Kalinga Lancers edge Ranchi Royals in five-goal final
Kalinga Lancers, who only lost a single match in the tournament, claimed the men’s HIL title after a 3-2 win over the Royals in a final that balanced structured defending with decisive attacking moments. Belgian defender Alexander Hendrickx played a pivotal role, scoring twice, which ultimately proved decisive.
Ranchi Royals’ captain and forward Tom Boon (BEL), who finished the tournament as the top scorer with 19 goals, added to his tally with a goal in the 59th minute. However, the Lancers held on in the closing stages to ensured they secure the title.
Speaking after the match, Lancers captain Arthur Van Doren credited the win to the team’s cohesive spirit and ability to match the Royals’ attacking style of play while defending their one-goal lead until the end.
Hyderabad Toofans secure third place
The men’s bronze-medal match saw Hyderabad Toofans claim third place, closing their campaign with performance that highlighted the depth across the league’s standings. Their finish rounded out a podium featuring teams that blended Indian talent with experienced international players.
Women’s final decided on penalties
The women’s final delivered dramatic moments, with SG Pipers defeating Shrachi Bengal Tigers after a 1-1 draw was settled by a 3-2 penalty shootout. Both teams created chances in regulation time, but goalkeeping and defensive structure dominated as the match wore on.
The shootout underscored the fine margins at the top of the women’s competition and reflected the rapid rise in quality and emerging talent across the league’s women’s teams, now firmly established as a central part of the league’s competitive landscape.
“The balance between technical skill, physical conditioning and tactical discipline was evident throughout the competition, particularly in the knockout stages, where execution under pressure proved decisive.”
Goals and global talent
Across the season, goals were spread among domestic and international players, with athletes from Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, England and Germany featuring prominently alongside India’s leading players, such as Princedeep Singh of the Tamil Nadu Dragons, who was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament and Amandeep Lakra of Hyderabad Toofans, named Player of the Tournament.
The balance between technical skill, physical conditioning and tactical discipline was evident throughout the competition, particularly in the knockout stages, where execution under pressure proved decisive.
Venues built for the game
Kalinga Hockey Stadium once again demonstrated its credentials as one of the sport’s iconic venues, hosting the finals in front of large crowds and providing a stage suited to international-level competition with its Poligras turf. Meanwhile, Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium’s Poligras Paris GT Zero surface in Chennai highlighted how sustainable turf technology is increasingly part of the conversation at elite level, supporting performance while reducing environmental impact.
Celebrating performance and progress
As the HIL closes its seventh season, the finals served as a reminder of the league’s role in developing talent and delivering high-quality competition. Congratulations to all athletes, coaches and support teams for performances that showcased the skill, intensity and professionalism of today’s hockey.