By Yajati Rout
Copyright pragativadi
With franchises eager to enhance their squads and secure top talent in world hockey, the auctions promise to deliver all the drama and strategy of sports on and off the field.
Over 100 men’s players and more than 100 women’s players will be featured. Each men’s team has a salary cap of INR 4 Crores, while women’s teams have a cap of INR 2 Crores, meaning every decision at the bidding table will be crucial. Each squad will consist of 20 players (2 goalkeepers and 18 outfield players), with a maximum of 7 overseas recruits and a minimum of 3 Indian juniors, ensuring opportunities for the next generation of players.
The auctions will have three base price categories: INR 2 Lakhs, INR 5 Lakhs, and INR 10 Lakhs, with INR 2 Lakhs being the minimum bid for both Indian and overseas players. Notably, franchises can only bid if they have sufficient budget and available positions. Teams are also required to maintain a balance between their remaining budget and the number of players needed to complete their squad.
Speaking about the event, Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey stated, “It takes steadfast resolve and commitment for a federation to ensure the continued success of a league, especially for a legacy sport like hockey. The core purpose of a league is to promote inclusion and provide opportunities for the sport to grow. The Hero HIL 2026 edition is being organised with this commitment in mind, focusing on player exposure, welfare, and growth. We strive to do this throughout the year across our competition calendar, and the HIL offers a unique chance for healthy corporate involvement in the sport. We are proud of our franchise partners for their belief and contributions to the league’s success. The mini auction taking place tomorrow promises to be action-packed as our first milestone for the second edition of the Hero HIL. I wish all the teams and players the best of luck.”
As the auctions become a critical step toward team-building, anticipation is already high as franchises strategise to secure top talent for the upcoming season of the Hockey India League 2026.
The auction will kick off at 10:30 AM, with the men’s auction followed by the women’s auction.
