The 15th edition of the Hockey India Senior Women National Championship is set to bring a fresh wave of excitement with a new format featuring a promotion and relegation system.
As the tournament kicks off on March 1 in Panchkula, here’s a breakdown of what’s different this year and how it will impact the competition.
What is the new format introduced for the 2025 edition?
Hockey India has introduced a promotion and relegation system, dividing the 28 participating teams into three divisions – Division A, Division B, and Division C. This format ensures that teams have a pathway to move up or down based on their performance, making every match crucial.
How are the teams divided?
– Division A: 12 top-ranked teams competing for the championship title.
– Division B: 9 teams fighting for promotion to Division A.
– Division C: 7 teams aiming to rise to Division B.
Which teams are competing in each division of the 2025 Hockey India Senior Women National Championship?
Division A (12 teams – Competing for the Championship)
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
Division B (9 teams – Fighting for Promotion to Division A)
Pool A: Telangana Hockey, Hockey Uttarakhand, Assam Hockey, Hockey Rajasthan, Hockey Association of Bihar
Pool B: Delhi Hockey, Chhattisgarh Hockey, Hockey Chandigarh, Hockey Himachal
Division C (7 teams – Aiming 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
How will the championship be decided in Division A?
– The 12 teams are split into four pools of three teams each.
– Each team plays in a league format within their pool.
– The top two teams from each pool qualify for the Quarterfinals on March 9.
– The tournament then progresses to semifinals on March 10 and the final on March 12.
– The bottom two teams in Division A will be relegated to Division B for the next edition.
How does promotion and relegation work in Division B and C?
– Division B: 9 teams are divided into two pools and play in a league format.
– The top two teams get promoted to Division A.
– The bottom two teams get relegated to Division C.
– Division C: 7 teams, split into two pools, also play in a league format.
– The top two teams move up to Division B.
Is there a knockout stage in Division B and C?
No, Divisions B and C will only have league matches. The final standings will determine promotions and relegations.
What is the points system?
– Win: 3 points
– Draw: 1 point
– Loss: 0 points
