Lausanne, September 15 (PTI): The 2025-26 season of the FIH Hockey Pro League is set to kick off on December 9 in both Argentina and Ireland, showcasing a record 144 matches across 10 host nations. This season marks the seventh edition of the "League of the Best" and introduces two newcomers—Ireland women and Pakistan men—who have been promoted from the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2024-25.
The stakes are high, as the winners of both the men's and women's leagues will earn direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The opening day will see Germany's men taking on Belgium in Ireland, while over in Argentina, the defending men's champions, the Netherlands, will face the league debutants, Pakistan.
In the first block of matches held in Ireland, the Belgium, England, and Germany men's teams, alongside the Belgium, England, and Ireland women's teams, will compete. Meanwhile, in Argentina, the Leones and Leonas are set to battle it out against the Netherlands and Pakistan men's teams, as well as the Germany and Netherlands women's teams.
The league will conclude on June 28 with intense matches held across Belgium, Germany, and England. The final day promises excitement with six women’s and six men’s teams in action, ensuring supporters remain captivated until the last moment.
Both Dutch teams enter the season as defending champions, after having secured the titles in the previous edition.
Matches in the 2025-26 FIH Hockey Pro League will be hosted in 10 nations: Ireland (December 9-14), Argentina (December 9-14), China (February 5-10), Spain (February 5-10), Australia (February 10-15 and February 20-25), India (February 10-15), England (June 13-21 and June 23-28), Netherlands (June 13-21), Belgium (June 13-21 and June 23-28), and Germany (June 23-28).
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