India will be hosting two international hockey events in 2025 – the men’s Asia Cup to be held in Rajgir, Bihar from August 27 to September 7, and the Junior Men’s World Cup in Chennai in December, the dates for which are to be confirmed.
With a spot in the 2026 World Cup in The Netherlands and Belgium on offer, The Asia Cup is going to be a keenly contested tournament.
With two consecutive bronze medals in the last two Olympics, this is potentially India’s best chance for a podium after five decades. India’s only World Cup triumph came in 1975 when the side led by Ajit Pal Singh beat Pakistan in the final.
At the last edition of the Asia Cup in 2022, the Indian team failed to make it to the finals, losing out on goal difference to Malaysia.
This will be the first time since 2007 (Chennai) that India will be hosting the continental tournament
Junior World Cup 2025
India will be hosting the Junior World Cup for the fourth time, after the U-21 tournament was held in New Delhi 2013, Lucknow 2016 and Bhubaneswar 2021.
The Indian team has managed to clinch the title twice, with the last title coming in 2016.
For the first time, 24 teams will take part in the 2025 event, increasing the number of participants from 16.
Qualified Teams
Host: India
Pan American: Argentina, Chile, Canada
Europe: Belgium, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Switzerland
Asia: Bangladesh, China, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand
Oceania 3 (TBC)
Africa 3 (TBC)
Meanwhile, Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh confirmed to Hindustan Times that apart from the Pro League, no international women’s tournament is scheduled in India this year.
