Indian Men’s and Women’s Hockey Teams Set for High-Stakes International Fortnight Across Europe and New Zealand

The two national sides will compete across Europe and New Zealand, ensuring near-continuous international action featuring India on the global hockey stage. The men’s team will take part in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2025–26 season, while the women’s team will compete at the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, with promotion to the Pro League at stake.

The men’s side faces a demanding European schedule against some of the world’s strongest teams, including the Netherlands, Germany, Pakistan, and England. The campaign begins in Rotterdam, where India will face the Netherlands on 14 June and again on 21 June. India will then take on Germany in back-to-back matches on 17 and 18 June.

A key highlight of the tour will be the high-voltage rivalry fixtures against Pakistan, scheduled for 23 June and 26 June in London. India will also face England on 25 June and 28 June, completing a packed and strategically significant European leg.

These fixtures come at a crucial time as teams prepare for upcoming major tournaments, including the FIH Hockey World Cup and the Asian Games. The matches against the Netherlands also offer India valuable exposure to conditions similar to one of the co-host nations for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, with Belgium serving as the second host.

While the men’s team tests itself against elite European opposition, the Indian Women’s Hockey Team will compete at the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup in Auckland, aiming for qualification into the next season’s FIH Hockey Pro League. Their campaign begins on 15 June against the United States, followed by matches against Japan on 16 June and Uruguay on 18 June, before progressing to knockout or classification stages on 20 and 21 June depending on results.

Former India player Rupinder Pal Singh described the period as one of high significance, noting that each match carries competitive value and offers fans consistent international exposure. Former India women’s captain Rani also highlighted the importance of simultaneous participation, emphasizing the opportunity for both teams to advance in their respective global standings.

With both squads competing on different continents but sharing a common objective of progression and preparation, the fortnight is expected to serve as a crucial phase in India’s long-term hockey ambitions ahead of major international tournaments.

From elite European battles and historic rivalries to qualification-driven contests in New Zealand, Indian hockey enters one of its most closely watched and strategically important phases in recent years.