Hockey India League matches begin today at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar

The Hockey India League (HIL) action is all set to begin at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar from today, promising thrilling encounters on a chilly evening for sports lovers. 

Preparations for the final phase of the men’s Hockey India League have been completed, with all participating teams arriving in the city.

Two matches will be played on the opening day. The first match, scheduled at 5 pm, will see Bengal Tigers take on Hyderabad Toofans. The second match, starting at 7 pm, will feature the home team Kalinga Lancers against Delhi SG Pipers, a clash expected to draw strong crowd support.

The group-stage matches will continue at Kalinga Stadium until January 22, followed by knockout matches from January 23 to 25. The grand finale is scheduled to be held on January 26.

Last year, the Hockey India League matches were hosted in Rourkela instead of Bhubaneswar. However, this year, all league matches are being organised exclusively in Bhubaneswar, making the Kalinga Stadium the central venue of the tournament.

Also Read: Former star questions U19 path for Vaibhav Suryavanshi, flags long-term development concerns

Kalinga Lancers are currently leading the points table with 11 points from four matches, giving fans high hopes for a strong performance in the home leg.

The league is expected to boost hockey enthusiasm across Odisha once again.