The Hockey India League (HIL) is India’s premier hockey tournament, bringing together top domestic and international players since 2013.
The first Men’s champions were Ranchi Rhinos, who set the standard for competitive seasons to follow.
The women’s league started in 2024-25, with Odisha Warriors claiming the inaugural title. The latest Men’s winners are Kalinga Lancers, while SG Pipers are the most recent Women’s champions.
This article covers all HIL winners, providing complete tables and season highlights for both men’s and women’s leagues, showing how each team achieved its success.
Hockey India League winners (Men and Women): Overview
Check out all Hockey India League winners from the Men’s and Women’s leagues, season by season.
Men’s Hockey India League Winners
The Men’s Hockey India League began with Ranchi Rhinos as champions, while Kalinga Lancers are the current winners.
Here’s a full list of Men’s Hockey India League winners from 2013:
| Edition | Winner | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Ranchi Rhinos | Delhi Waveriders |
| 2014 | Delhi Waveriders | Punjab Warriors |
| 2015 | Ranchi Rays | Punjab Warriors |
| 2016 | Punjab Warriors | Kalinga Lancers |
| 2017 | Kalinga Lancers | Dabang Mumbai |
| 2024-25 | Rarh Bengal Tigers | Hyderabad Toofans |
| 2025-26 | Kalinga Lancers | Ranchi Royals |
Women’s Hockey India League Winners
The Women’s Hockey India League began in 2024-25 with Odisha Warriors as champions, while SG Pipers are the current winners.
| Edition | Winner | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | Odisha Warriors | Soorma Hockey Club |
| 2025-26 | SG Pipers | Shrachi Bengal Tiger |
Detailed Look at Hockey India League Winning Teams
Here’s a closer look at Hockey India League winning teams, covering Men’s and Women’s champions season by season
Men’s Hockey India League Winners
Have a look at the season-by-season description of Men’s Hockey India League winners, with key highlights and top performers from each edition.
- 2013 Winners – Ranchi Rhinos
Ranchi Rhinos won the first Hockey India League title by beating Delhi Waveriders 2–1 in an exciting final.
The team was behind for most of the match but made a late comeback with goals from Austin Smith and Manpreet Singh.
Led by captain Moritz Fürste, the Rhinos showed great discipline, and young forward Mandeep Singh impressed, earning the “Most Promising Player” award. Their resilience and strong performance set a high standard for the league’s first season.
- 2014 Winners – Delhi Waveriders
Delhi Waveriders won their first Hockey India League title in 2014, overcoming the disappointment of their previous final loss.
They faced Punjab Warriors in a tense final that ended 3–3 in regular time. In the penalty shootout, goalkeeper Nicolas Jacobi starred, helping Delhi secure a 3–1 victory.
Led by captain Sardar Singh, the team impressed with an organized midfield and sharp counter-attacks.
Their consistent league-stage performance finally paid off, earning them their maiden championship and recognition as a disciplined, dominant side.
- 2015 Winners – Ranchi Rays
Ranchi Rays claimed the 2015 Hockey India League title, returning to the top under their new banner.
IIn a thrilling final against Punjab Warriors, the match ended 2–2, but Ranchi triumphed 3–2 in the penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Tyler Lovell delivering a stellar performance.
Captain Ashley Jackson led from the front, finishing as top scorer and earning Player of the Tournament. Under coach Harendra Singh, the team’s “Cool, Calm, and Competitive” approach guided them to a well-deserved championship victory.
- 2016 Winners – Punjab Warriors
Punjab Warriors finally won the Hockey India League title in 2016, after finishing as runners-up for two consecutive seasons.
They dominated the final, defeating Kalinga Lancers 6–1, with the “double goal” rule for field goals boosting their tally. Strikes from Armaan Qureshi, Matt Gohdes, and Satbir Singh sealed the victory.
Captain Sardar Singh and defender Mark Knowles led the team with tactical brilliance. The Warriors peaked at the perfect moment, combining strong attack and disciplined defense to claim their long-awaited maiden championship.
- 2017 Winners – Kalinga Lancers
Kalinga Lancers claimed their first Hockey India League title in 2017, defeating Dabang Mumbai 4–1 in the final.
German star Moritz Fürste led from the front, scoring twice to secure the win, while Australian forward Glenn Turner finished the season as the top scorer.
The team’s success came from powerful penalty corner conversions and quick transitions.
Their victory marked a triumphant end to the league’s original five-year run, establishing the Bhubaneswar-based Lancers as one of the most disciplined and dynamic sides in HIL history.
- 2024–25 Winners – Rarh Bengal Tigers
Rarh Bengal Tigers dominated the Hockey India League’s return season, defeating Hyderabad Toofans 4–3 in a thrilling final.
Captain Rupinder Pal Singh led the team with skill and strategy, while Jugraj Singh stole the spotlight, scoring a hat-trick in the final and finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with 12 goals.
The Tigers excelled with aggressive “total hockey” and strong teamwork. Their ability to perform under pressure at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium helped them claim a memorable championship in the league’s comeback season.
- 2025–26 Winners – Kalinga Lancers
Kalinga Lancers became the first team to win the Hockey India League title twice, defeating Ranchi Royals 3–2 in the 2025–26 final.
Alexander Hendrickx starred in the final, scoring two crucial penalty corners, while Tom Boon of Ranchi Royals finished as the league’s top scorer with 19 goals.
The Lancers’ balanced squad, along with veteran goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh providing stability at the back, ensured a well-rounded performance.
This victory reclaimed the trophy and cemented their reputation as the most successful franchise in HIL history.
Women’s Hockey India League Winners
Take a look at a description of the Women’s HIL winners, featuring the teams that lifted the trophy so far.
- 2024–25 Winners – Odisha Warriors
Odisha Warriors made history as the first champions of the Women’s Hockey India League, defeating Soorma Hockey Club 2–1 in a closely contested final iin Ranchi.
Rutuja Pisal was the standout player, scoring both goals, including a decisive strike in the final five minutes. Captain Deepika Thakur led the team with composure, while top scorer Yibbi Jansen contributed throughout the season.
The Warriors combined a strong defense with precise finishing, setting the benchmark for India’s newly established professional women’s league and establishing themselves as the inaugural standard-bearers of the competition.
- 2025–26 Winners – SG Pipers
SG Pipers won the 2025–26 Women’s Hockey India League title after a dramatic penalty shootout against Shrachi Bengal Tigers. The final ended 1–1 in regulation time before the Pipers clinched a 3–2 shootout victory.
Captain Navneet Kaur was named Player of the Tournament for her leadership and creativity, while goalkeeper Bansari Solanki earned the “Best Goalkeeper” award for her decisive saves in the shootout.
The Pipers’ combination of strategic gameplay, fitness, and composure under pressure allowed them to control crucial moments throughout the season, securing a well-deserved championship.
Conclusion: The Hockey India League Celebrates Kalinga Lancers And SG Pipers As Standout Winners
The Hockey India League has given fans thrilling seasons, with teams showing skill, teamwork, and determination.
In the Men’s league, Kalinga Lancers have the most titles, followed by Ranchi Rhinos, Delhi Waveriders, and Punjab Warriors. In the Women’s league, Odisha Warriors and SG Pipers have been the champions so far.
Looking ahead, the next HIL season promises new champions and exciting battles, as both men’s and women’s teams aim to make their mark and continue the league’s legacy of competitive and high-quality hockey.
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FAQs
Kalinga Lancers hold the most Men’s HIL titles with two championships, making them the league’s most successful franchise.
The Women’s HIL began in the 2024-25 season, with Odisha Warriors becoming the inaugural champions.
Tom Boon of Ranchi Royals scored 19 goals in the 2025–26 Men’s HIL, the season’s highest tally.
If a final ends in a draw, the match goes to a penalty shootout to determine the champion.
HIL finals have been held at venues including Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, and other major Indian hockey stadiums.
