The Hockey India League (HIL) mini auction will take place on September 24 at the Hockey India office in New Delhi.
Franchises completed their trades and retentions before the September 9 deadline and will now operate within their allocated purses — ₹4 crore for the men’s league and ₹2 crore for the women’s.
The auction will be used to fill gaps in squads of 20 players, reduced from 24 this season. The foreign quota has also been cut by one, with teams now allowed a maximum of seven overseas players, creating more room in the purse.
Unlike previous editions, the auction will follow an accelerated process, with franchises submitting a list of shortlisted names for bidding.
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Ranchi Royal Tuskers will be the new team in the men’s and women’s leagues, confirmed Bhola Nath Singh, secretary general, Hockey India.
The new franchise has taken over operations from Team Gonasika (men’s) and Odisha Warriors (women’s), both of whom pulled out after just one season.
The 2026 edition will begin in January, with Chennai hosting the opening leg. The tournament will follow a multi-city format, with Bhubaneswar and Ranchi confirmed as host cities, while Rajgir is being considered as a potential fourth venue.
Rarh Bengal Tigers is the defending men’s champion, while Odisha Warriors won the women’s league.
Published on Sep 19, 2025