Bhubaneswar: The stage is set for the 15th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2025, which will take place from 1st March to 12th March 2025 at the Tau Devi Lal Hockey Stadium, Panchkula. In a significant development, Hockey India has introduced a new format featuring a promotion and relegation system, adding an extra layer of competitiveness and excitement to the tournament.
The 2025 edition will see the participation of 28 teams, classified into three Divisions: Division A, Division B, and Division C. This new format not only enhances the competition but also provides a clear pathway for teams to ascend to higher divisions or risk relegation based on their performance.
Division A: The Battle for the Title
The top 12 teams, including defending champions Hockey Haryana, will compete in Division A for the coveted championship trophy. The teams are split into four pools:
Pool A: Hockey Haryana, Hockey Association of Odisha, Hockey Karnataka
Pool B: Hockey Maharashtra, Manipur Hockey, Hockey Punjab
Pool C: Hockey Jharkhand, Hockey Mizoram, Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu
Pool D: Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Hockey Bengal, Uttar Pradesh Hockey
Each team will play in a league format within their respective pools. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the Quarterfinals, scheduled for 9th March, followed by the Semifinals on 10th March, and the Final and 3rd/4th place play-off on 12th March. The winner will lift the 15th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2025 trophy, while the bottom two teams will be relegated to Division B for the next edition.
Division B: The Quest for Promotion
Nine teams will compete in Division B, with the goal of earning promotion to Division A. The teams are divided into two pools:
Pool A: Telangana Hockey, Hockey Uttarakhand, Assam Hockey, Hockey Rajasthan, Hockey Association of Bihar
Pool B: Delhi Hockey, Chhattisgarh Hockey, Hockey Chandigarh, Hockey Himachal
The top two teams from Division B will earn promotion to Division A for the next season, while the bottom two will be relegated to Division C. No knockout rounds will be held in Division B; the league standings will determine promotions and relegations.
Division C: Rising Through the Ranks
Seven teams in Division C will vie for promotion to Division B.
Pool A: Kerala Hockey, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey, Hockey Gujarat
Pool B: Hockey Andhra Pradesh, Le Puducherry Hockey, Hockey Arunachal, Hockey Jammu and Kashmir
As in Division B, the teams in Division C will only play league matches, with the top two teams securing promotion to Division B.
Also, during the league stage, teams in all three divisions will earn points based on their performance. Each team will be awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss. In Division A, the league stage will culminate with the knockout rounds, while Divisions B and C will conclude with final standings determined solely by league matches.
Division A, Division B, and Division C matches will be played simultaneously throughout the tournament, ensuring non-stop hockey action.
Commenting on the new format, Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey said, “The introduction of the promotion and relegation system is a significant step in raising the standard of hockey across the country. It ensures that every match in the Championship holds importance, whether it’s a battle for the title or to avoid relegation. We look forward to an exciting tournament where teams can showcase their skills and aim for the top.”
