Hockey India has announced plans to reduce franchise fees for the next season of the Hockey India League, aiming to ease the financial burden on team owners and ensure the long-term sustainability of the tournament.
Following the conclusion of the second edition of the revived HIL in Bhubaneswar on Monday, HI president Dilip Tirkey admitted that financial viability remains the league’s biggest challenge. His comments come after several teams withdrew ahead of the 2025-26 season, raising concerns over the economic model of the competition.
“We need to pay more attention to the central sponsorship. We need the help of the Government. Whether it is a league or a tournament, without the Government’s support, it cannot be a grand success. We are also taking help from the corporate sector,” Tirkey told reporters.
According to Tirkey, reducing franchise fees will be a key step in stabilising the league. While stressing that the fees would not be scrapped entirely, he confirmed that they would be recalibrated to make participation more manageable for owners.
“We will not make it zero. We will reduce it and reset it. The financial burden will be less,” he said. Tirkey also revealed that there has been fresh interest in owning HIL franchises, particularly from Gujarat and Odisha, which could expand the league’s footprint in the coming seasons.
Beyond finances, Tirkey acknowledged that the league needs stronger promotion and outreach. He conceded that crowd response in Chennai and Ranchi during the recent season did not meet expectations, prompting discussions about changes in venue strategy.
Looking ahead, Hockey India is considering shifting the league to north India next season. Tirkey explained that weather-related travel concerns, particularly fog and flight delays, had earlier ruled out northern venues. However, plans are now in place to stage matches in cities such as Delhi or Chandigarh, while limiting the tournament to two or three venues to control logistics.
Despite the challenges, Tirkey expressed satisfaction with the on-field product delivered by the HIL. He praised the overall quality of matches and highlighted the emergence of promising young Indian players who benefited from competing alongside top international talent.
“The quality of the league is getting better. A lot of young Indian players are coming up,” Tirkey said. He added that these players could earn opportunities in the FIH Pro League, particularly in the build-up to major events such as the World Cup and Asian Games.
Confident about the league’s future, Tirkey reiterated Hockey India’s ambition. “We will make it the best league in the world,” he said, underlining that financial restructuring, better promotion, and broader support will be central to that vision.
