HOCKEY INDIA has released the official promo for the upcoming season of the Hockey India League (HIL), unveiling its new brand line, “Big. Is. Back.” The campaign reflects the league’s ambition to elevate its scale, creativity, and fan engagement, supported by a refreshed identity crafted to reintroduce HIL with a cinematic and energetic tone.
The creative direction showcases the sport’s power, pace, and athleticism while underlining hockey’s deep emotional and cultural significance across India. The promotional rollout spans multiple platforms and regions, ensuring strong visibility across all major fan touchpoints, a media release said
HIL’s return in 2024 marked a significant revival. With support from Prasar Bharati and Sony Sports Network, the league achieved an impressive cumulative reach of 40.8 million viewers, a 48 per cent increase over the 2017 season. The men’s final drew 3.07 million viewers, while the highest-rated women’s match reached 2.92 million. Globally, the tournament extended its presence to over five million viewers across 18 hockey-playing nations through television and OTT platforms. On social media, HIL generated more than one billion views across Facebook, Instagram, and X from over 3,000 pieces of content, according to the media release.
The new season’s campaign is powered by a 360-degree marketing strategy. High-impact animated films animate each franchise city, large-scale outdoor installations spark nationwide anticipation, and a strong presence across radio, television, and OTT boosts reach. A re-energised social media strategy will focus on daily storytelling, behind-the-scenes moments, player-centric features, reel-first content, and influencer-driven conversations to keep fans engaged well beyond matchdays.
The Women’s League will take place in Ranchi from 28 December 2025 to 10 January 2026, while the Men’s League will run from 3 to 26 January 2026 across Chennai, Ranchi, and Bhubaneswar.
HIL governing committee chairperson Dr Dilip Tirkey said, “With the launch of the promo today, the countdown for the new season of the Hero Hockey India League has officially begun, and it will be bigger than ever. HIL has played a crucial role in the growth of Indian hockey, and it means a great deal to both players and fans. With this strong marketing push, we aim to take hockey to more people and inspire the next generation.”
HIL governing committee member Bhola Nath Singh added, “Our aim is to ensure that HIL’s return is big, exciting, and easy for fans to connect with. This campaign brings fresh energy to the sport and promises an experience that supporters will genuinely enjoy. The excitement around the league is building once again, and we are ready for it.”
