LAUSANNE, Switzerland: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the FIH Hockey Pro League participating nations Tuesday confirmed the venues that will be used for the fourth season of FIH’s global league for national teams – ‘Hockey at its Best’ – which will run from 28 October 2022 to 5 July 2023.
Odisha’s Rourkela has been added as the second Indian venue, besides Bhubaneswar, with the matches to be held at the stadium built to host the men’s World Cup in January.
A brand new stadium has been built in Rourkela to host some of the matches of the FIH Men’s World Cup to be held from January 13 to 29, 2023.
FIH Hockey Pro League Season 4 host venues
India: Bhubaneswar, Rourkela
Australia: Newcastle, Hobart
Argentina: Mendoza, Santiago del Estero
Belgium: Antwerp
England: London
Netherlands: Eindhoven, Amsterdam
New Zealand: Christchurch, Wellington
As already announced in March, a new schedule – based on a series of “mini-tournaments” where several teams will gather in one venue to play two matches against each other – will come into force for this new Pro League season. This format will have a major positive impact on players’ welfare and the environment, thanks to a substantial reduction in the amount of travel needed for each team and the officials. Another great advantage of this revised format is that it increases the number of dates available for athletes to compete in their domestic leagues and club competitions.
Furthermore, this season will see the implementation of a promotion-relegation principle for the very first time, with the team finishing last being relegated, while the team winning the 2022 FIH Hockey Nations Cup – a new event – being promoted for the 2023-2024 Pro League season.
FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “The integration of the promotion-relegation principle will substantially add to the excitement around Pro League. Also, the new format is beneficial to everyone, athletes, National Associations, clubs and fans in particular. We’re glad to welcome some new venues for this season; this is great for the growth of our sport! We’re very much looking forward to the fourth edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League!”
The FIH Hockey Pro League 2022-2023 match schedule, including the match timings, is available here…
