Hockey India declares ‘big is back’ as HIL returns with bold new 2025–26 campaign

MUMBAI: Unveiling a high-octane new promo for the 2025–26 season of the Hero Hockey India League (HIL), Hockey India on Thursday introduced its bold new brand line, “big is back”, signalling a turbocharged return built on ambition, scale and a cinematic visual identity designed to reignite fan excitement nationwide.

The refreshed campaign channels the intensity, athleticism and emotional pull of Indian hockey, blending high-energy creative with cultural nostalgia to remind fans why the sport remains one of the country’s most storied passions. The rollout spans multiple markets and mediums, ensuring the message lands across every major fan touchpoint.

HIL’s 2024 return had already set the stage for a revival. Backed by Prasar Bharati and Sony Sports Network, the league achieved a staggering 40.8 million cumulative viewers, up 48 per cent from the 2017 season. The men’s final clocked 3.07 million viewers, while the most-watched women’s match drew 2.92 million. Internationally, HIL expanded to 5 million viewers across 18 hockey-playing nations, supported by strong TV and OTT presence. On social media, the league surged past 1 billion views across 3,000 pieces of content on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Now, the new campaign aims to take that momentum and go even bigger. A 360-degree marketing plan includes high-impact animated films showcasing franchise cities, major outdoor installations nationwide, and a powerful presence across radio, television and OTT platforms. A refreshed social media strategy promises daily storytelling, behind-the-scenes action, reel-first formats, player-focused content and influencer-led conversations to keep fans hooked beyond matchdays.

Hero Hockey India League governing committee chairperson Dilip Tirkey , said, “With the launch of the promo today, the countdown for the new season has officially begun and it will be bigger than ever. HIL has played a crucial role in the growth of Indian hockey, and with this strong marketing push, we aim to take the sport to more people and inspire the next generation.”

Committee member Bhola Nath Singh added, “Our aim is to ensure HIL’s return is big, exciting and easy for fans to connect with. This campaign injects fresh energy into the sport and promises an experience supporters will genuinely enjoy.”

The new season will begin with the women’s league in Ranchi from 28 December 2025 to 10 January 2026, while the men’s league will run from 3 to 26 January 2026 across Chennai, Ranchi and Bhubaneswar.