The Hockey India League was restarted last year after a seven-year hiatus, with both the men’s and women’s league being inaugurated side by side. It was first launched in 2013 but failed to sustain itself over a period of time. The men’s league had eight teams whereas the women’s team had four. In the first edition of the tournament after its restart, it was Shrachi Rarh Tigers that won the title.
Ahead of the 2026 season, UP Rudras have now pulled out of the tournament citing financial viability and sustainability of the league. The team included many Indian hockey stars, including India’s vice-captain Hardik Singh. The team’s exit from the tournament left many bewildered and the players were concerned about their future.
A player who was a part of the franchise, spoke on condition of anonymity: “We are all worried about our future. We’re not sure how we’re going to participate in the league anymore. Will we go through the auction again? But the other teams don’t have enough purse. Will they trade us to a different team and make us fit? We’re unsure about where this is heading and many of us are concerned about the financial implications of the team’s exit.”
In an exclusive conversation with RevSportz, Hockey India general secretary Bholanath Singh assured that the league’s future remains in safe hands and that the players have nothing to worry about.
“Even if a corporate pulls out of the league we will do everything in our power to protect the players, make sure that they are financially and mentally taken care of. The league is a matter of pride for us and we will stand up for it,” he said.
UP Rudras’ exit from the tournament came on the back of two other teams already pulling out of the league. Only some time ago, franchise Gonasika also exited the tournament. And surprisingly so did the reigning women’s champions franchise Odisha Warriors.
It is now also being reported that Hockey India will take over the operations of the UP Rudras team so that the players’ participation is not affected. Hockey India is open for an owner to take over the team, until that happens, the governing council will oversee the team’s operations.
The upcoming 2026 season carries added weight with the governing council now facing a huge challenge of preserving the league’s credibility while also ensuring that the players are not financially and mentally impacted. Three teams have now exited from the tournament and for the players, coaches, and fans, the next few months will be crucial in determining whether the Hockey India League can weather the turbulence and truly establish itself as a permanent fixture in the country’s sporting landscape.
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