Dabang Mumbai News

First Match will be Played on 14 January 2013; Final is on 10 February 2013

The Hockey India League (HIL) announced their inaugural season 2013 match schedule, which will start from 14 January and finish on 10 February.

The world’s prominent hockey league will feature 34 matches in 28 days and will be played in five franchisee cities – Delhi, Jalandhar, Lucknow, Mumbai and Ranchi.

The opening ceremony will be held on 14 January at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi just before the first match of the League, where Delhi Waveriders will face Jaypee Punjab Warriors, featuring Australian hockey star Jamie Dwyer, at 20:00 hrs.

Jalandhar will host the second match at Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium where the home team Jaypee Punjab Warriors will face Ranchi Rhinos at 18:00 hrs on 16 January. Dabur Mumbai Magicians will play their first match in New Delhi against Delhi Waveriders at 20:00 hrs the same day.

Uttar Pradesh Wizards will commence their contest against Jaypee Punjab Warriors in Jalandhar at 20:00 hrs on 17 January.

Ranchi Rhinos’ Bisra Munda Hockey Stadium will host the first match on 18 January against Mumbai Magicians at 20:00 hrs.  The first home match of Uttar Pradesh Wizards will be played on 19 January against Delhi Waveriders at Guru Gobind Singh Sports College in Lucknow at 11:30 hrs.

Mumbaikars will watch their first home match at Mumbai Hockey Association Stadium on 20 January against Jaypee Punjab Warriors at 20:00 hrs.

The Republic Day will bring more joy to all fans as they will see the clash of titans on 26 January when Delhi Waveriders will lock their horns with Mumbai Magicians at 18:00 in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh Wizards will try to tame Ranchi Rhinos at 15:00 in Lucknow.

Matches at Delhi, Jalandhar, Mumbai and Ranchi will be played under floodlights while matches in Lucknow will be played during daytime.

Play-off semi-final matches will be played on 9 February with the HIL Final being played at 20:00 hrs on 10 February. The venue for the Semi-finals and Final is yet to be decided. All the matches will be live on Star Sports.

Dr. Narinder Batra, Sectary-General of Hockey India and Chairman-Hockey India League stated: “We are very pleased to announce the confirmed match schedule for the first ever Hockey India League, which will feature many of the big hockey stars from around the world. It will be a real treat to hockey fans as they will see the toughest battles among the five teams. We are pretty sure that the HIL will become an unforgettable moment for all players, sponsors and spectators.”

Click here for full match schedule