29 Oct, 2025 The wait is nearly over. In just one month, the world’s most promising Rising Stars of men’s hockey will gather in the heart of south India for the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025, taking place from 28 November to 10 December 2025 in Chennai and Madurai. This edition will make history as the first-ever FIH Junior Hockey World Cup to feature 24 teams, expanding the global reach of the sport and giving more nations than ever before, the chance to compete on hockey’s biggest youth stage. From traditional powerhouses like Argentina, India and Germany, to exciting debutants like Switzerland, Namibia and China, the expanded format promises more matches, more stories, and more opportunities for emerging talent to shine. Hosted in the cities of Chennai and Madurai in Tamil Nadu, India the tournament is set to deliver an unforgettable experience for players and fans alike. With state-of-the-art venues, vibrant fan culture, and the electric atmosphere of Indian hockey, this event will showcase the future of the game in its purest, most energetic form. Teams Pool A: Canada, Germany, Ireland, South Africa Pool B: Chile, India, Oman, Switzerland Pool C: Argentina, China, Japan, New Zealand Pool D: Belgium, Egypt, Spain, Namibia Pool E: Austria, England, Malaysia, Netherlands Pool F: Australia, Bangladesh, France, Korea The pool stage matches will be played from 28 November to 2 December, followed by knockout matches from 4 to 10 December. The FIH, together with Hockey India and the Government of Tamil Nadu, continues preparations to ensure every aspect, from athlete facilities to fan engagement, is world-class. The tournament will also mark a new step in FIH’s digital and broadcast evolution, bringing the action closer to fans worldwide through the revamped Watch.Hockey platform. As the countdown begins, one thing is certain: the next generation of Rising Stars will take the field and the global hockey family will get their first glimpse of the future hockey icons in Tamil Nadu! Germany are the defending champions from the 2023 edition, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For all information about the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025, click here. Source: FIH.hockey

21 Oct, 2025 The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has officially opened the bidding process for hosting the upcoming editions of the FIH Hockey Men’s and Women’s Junior World Cups in 2027 and 2029. A key milestone in the development pathway of hockey’s future stars, the FIH Hockey Junior World Cups provide young athletes with the opportunity to make their mark on the international stage. These prestigious events bring together the best under-21 talent from around the world, showcasing the next generation of global hockey excellence. Event Windows Two time slots are reserved in the international calendar for these events: 1–31 July 2027 / 2029 1–21 December 2027 / 2029 How to Apply National Associations interested in hosting are invited to submit their bids by completing the official bidding application form: FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2027/2029 Bid Form FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2027/2029 Bid Form The bid manual, hosting obligations, and event manual are available for download on the FIH website to assist interested hosts in preparing their submissions. To access them please click here. Key Deadlines The Letter of Interest and Bid Questionnaire for the 2027 event must be submitted by 1 December 2025. Once submitted, FIH will share the hosting agreement with the applicant National Associations. For the 2029 editions, the Letter of Interest should be returned by mid-2026. Hosting the FIH Hockey Junior World Cups offers a unique opportunity for National Associations to contribute to the growth of the sport and inspire the next generation of hockey players worldwide. Beyond the competition itself, the event serves as a powerful platform to engage local communities, boost national visibility, and strengthen hockey’s development legacy across all levels — from grassroots to elite. By bringing the world’s brightest young talents together, host nations not only celebrate the spirit of hockey but also help shape its global future. Source: FIH.hockey

16 Oct, 2025 The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is delighted to confirm that Sport Group has completed the installation of the turf at the Belfius Hockey Arena – Belgium’s new national hockey stadium, where the overall stadium construction is well advanced. The stadium, in Wavre near Brussels, will feature half of the matches of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. FIH’s Global Supplier Polytan, a member of Sport Group, has manufactured and installed its Poligras hockey turf at the stadium. The same turf will be laid at the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam, the arena that will host the other half of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup matches. Recently, Polytan supplied and installed Poligras turfs for the 2018, 2022 and 2023 FIH Hockey World Cups, as well as the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, with the Poligras Paris GT zero turf that was developed for Paris being the world’s first carbon-zero hockey turf. Developed for use as a Global category wet turf, it is also certified as an FIH innovation category dry turf. In total the 2026 edition will mark the tenth time Poligras hockey turf has been used at an FIH Hockey World Cup, and the third time it will be installed at the iconic Wagener Stadium. FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “We are delighted that Poligras will be the official turf for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Belgium & Netherlands. Poligras is a surface that has delivered for hockey at the highest level across several Olympic Games and World Cups. Through our collaboration with FIH Global Supplier partners Sport Group (Polytan and AstroTurf), we continue to provide high-quality hockey places to play worldwide, enhancing the experience for both athletes and fans alike.” Fred van Wijk, International Sales Director, Polytan added: “Our history with hockey goes back to the first synthetic hockey turfs in the mid-1970s. That gives us 50 years of R&D, manufacturing, and installation experience, including 11 Olympic Games. This depth of knowledge gives us a unique understanding of the sport, and it is rewarding to have our turf recognized as the best, especially in The Netherlands, where hockey is so important. Our Poligras Paris 2024 turf proved that carbon-zero sustainability can be achieved without compromising elite performance. Looking ahead to the LA 2028 Olympics, we continue to invest in reducing water use and carbon impact while ensuring our hockey turf performs at the highest Olympic level.”

South African Hockey is proud to announce the South African squad for the upcoming FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup in Santiago, Chile (1–13 December 2025). This will mark South Africa’s ninth appearance at the global junior showpiece, having secured qualification earlier this year by being crowned African Champions in Namibia. Seven players return to Chile after featuring at the 2023 edition, including Olympians Paris-Gail Isaacs, Ntsopa Mokoena, and Taheera Augousti. The squad will, however, be without Jenna Blaauw due to injury, opening the door for a new star to emerge on the international stage. Drawn in Pool D alongside Austria, China, and England, the South Africans know the importance of finishing strongly in the group phase of the newly expanded 24-team tournament, with higher pool placings opening pathways to more competitive playoff brackets. SA Hockey High Performance Executive Reggie Smith expressed his excitement about the balance within the group: “This team reflects the exciting pipeline of South African hockey. With a core of experienced players from the last Junior World Cup and fresh talent pushing through, we believe this squad has the quality to compete and to inspire. They will carry our hopes proudly on the world stage.” Fans will be able to follow the tournament on Watch.Hockey, with further broadcast details to be confirmed in due course. FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2025 – South African Squad Ane Janse van Vuuren Leah Du Plessis Reabetswe Phume Anja Tromp Malikah Hamza Richele Norval Baylee Engelke Manisha Desai Taheera Agousti Emily Macquet Nomsa Mzizi Tara Pakendorf Germarie Spershott Ntsopa Mokoena Teshawn De La Rey Hannah Quinton Paris-Gail Isaacs Thabelani Metu Group Fixtures (all times local, Chile) 2 December 2025 – 09:00 – South Africa vs. Austria 4 December 2025 – 09:00 – South Africa vs. England 6 December 2025 – 09:00 – South Africa vs. China Source: sahockey.co.za

Lausanne, Switzerland – The highly anticipated match schedule for the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 was announced today in a ceremony that took place in Chennai in attendance of FIH President Tayyab Ikram, Honourable Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, Dr Atulya Misra – IAS, Additional Chief Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, ⁠Thiru J. Meghanatha Reddy IAS, Chief Executive Officer / Member Secretary Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey, Hockey India Secretary General Sh. Bholanath Singh and Hockey India Treasurer Sh. Sekar J. Manoharan. Title holders Germany will take on South Africa for an exciting opening match in Madurai! The hosts, India, will start their Junior World Cup campaign against Chile, in Chennai. The complete match schedule can be found here. The World Cup which, for the very first time, will see participation from 24 teams from around the world will be played in the cities of Chennai and Madurai in Tamil Nadu, India, from 28 November to 10 December 2025. The pools for the competition were revealed earlier this year on 28 June as the following: Pool A: Germany, South Africa, Canada, Ireland Pool B: India, Pakistan, Chile, Switzerland Pool C: Argentina, New Zealand, Japan, China Pool D: Spain, Belgium, Egypt, Namibia Pool E: Netherlands, Malaysia, England, Austria Pool F: France, Australia, Korea, Bangladesh Now, with the announcement of the match schedule, we are one step closer to the start of the biggest Junior World Cup in FIH history! Speaking at the ceremony, FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “The launch of the match schedule for the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 marks another exciting milestone on our journey to this prestigious event. For the first time in FIH history, the Junior World Cup will feature 24 teams, which is a major milestone achieved under the FIH Empowerment and Engagement strategy. Not only does this underline the global growth and inclusivity of hockey, but it also gives the emerging hockey nations an opportunity to compete with the top established teams. At the heart of this tournament are the athletes – the brightest young talents from across the world – who will showcase their passion, determination, and skill on the global stage. This is where future stars of international hockey will take their first steps toward greatness, inspiring millions of fans and the next generation of players. I’m sure Tamil Nadu, with its rich culture and love for hockey, will provide a truly exceptional backdrop for this celebration of youth, skill, and international friendship. We look forward to welcoming teams, officials, and supporters to what promises to be an unforgettable tournament.” Hon’ble Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development & Deputy CM of Tamil Nadu, Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin said: “It is a matter of immense pride for Tamil Nadu to host the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025 across Chennai and Madurai. For the first time in history, 24 teams will come together in India to compete at this level, and it will be our honour to extend our warm hospitality and world-class sporting facilities. With the fixtures now revealed, the excitement truly begins as fans can start anticipating some thrilling encounters in both Chennai and Madurai. Hockey holds a special place in the hearts of people in Tamil Nadu and this event will further inspire thousands of youngsters to take up the sport. We are committed to working closely with Hockey India and the International Hockey Federation to ensure that this tournament becomes one of the most memorable editions in history.” Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey said: “We are delighted that Chennai and Madurai will be hosting the historic edition of the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup, with 24 teams participating for the very first time. This is not only a proud moment for Indian hockey but also a landmark occasion for the global hockey community. The unveiling of fixtures adds to the excitement as we now begin the countdown to an event that will showcase the next generation of hockey stars to the world. Hockey India is committed to delivering a world-class tournament that reflects the passion and love for hockey in Tamil Nadu and across India.” Hockey India Secretary General Shri Bhola Nath Singh said: “The announcement of fixtures today makes the tournament feel very real for all the players, coaches, and fans. Having 24 teams in this edition underlines the rapid global growth of hockey, and it will be a privilege for India to host them. Chennai has a rich hockey culture and Madurai is ready to make its international debut as a host city. Together, these venues will create an atmosphere that is festive, competitive, and memorable. We look forward to welcoming the world to Tamil Nadu and giving young players an unforgettable experience.” All information about the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 can be found here. #RisingStars #MadeForHockey To keep up to date with all the latest hockey news download the Watch.Hockey app or follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and website.  Source: FIH.hockey