Sports
4th Hockey India Junior Women Academy Championship 2026 Begins in Gwalior on July 24 with 12 Teams
By MILLENNIUM NEWSROOM Desk · Published: Jul 23, 2026 12:21 PM
3 min read
Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, July 23, 2026: The 4th Hockey India Junior Women Academy Championship 2026 (Zone A & B) is set to begin on July 24 in Gwalior, bringing together 12 of the country's leading junior women's hockey academies in an 11-day competition aimed at showcasing India's emerging hockey talent. The championship will conclude on August 3 with the final and third-place playoff.
The participating teams have been divided into two pools of six teams each. Every team will play the others in its respective pool during the league stage, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the semi-finals on August 2. The championship final and the third-place playoff will be played on August 3.
Pool Composition
Pool A
- Raja Karan Hockey Academy
- Khalsa Hockey Academy (Amritsar)
- Sports Authority of Gujarat – Hockey Academy
- Hockey Family Badhkhalsa NCR Hockey Society
- Tamil Nadu Hockey Academy
- Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy, Sonepat
Pool B
- Ritu Rani Hockey Academy
- Vadipatti Raja Hockey Academy
- Bhai Behlo Hockey Academy Bhagta
- Mumbai Schools Sports Association
- Adyar Hockey Academy
- Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy
Tournament Format
The competition will follow a league format during the pool stage. Teams will earn three points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a defeat. In classification matches where a winner is required, tied contests will be decided through a shoot-out in accordance with the FIH Tournament Regulations.
"The Junior Women Academy Championship has become an important platform in our efforts to strengthen the grassroots development pathway for women's hockey in India. The tournament provides young players with an opportunity to compete against some of the best academy talent in the country while gaining valuable experience in a highly competitive environment. We are confident that this championship will help identify future stars who will go on to represent India at the highest level," said Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey.
Hockey India Secretary General Shri Bola Nath Singh said, "Academies play a vital role in nurturing young players and preparing them for the next stage of their hockey journey. Championships like these not only promote healthy competition but also provide exposure to talented athletes from across the country. We wish all participating teams the very best and look forward to witnessing exciting hockey over the coming days."
Opening Day Fixtures (July 24)
| Time | Match |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Raja Karan Hockey Academy vs Khalsa Hockey Academy (Amritsar) |
| 9:00 AM | Sports Authority of Gujarat – Hockey Academy vs Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy, Sonepat |
| 10:30 AM | Hockey Family Badhkhalsa NCR Hockey Society vs Tamil Nadu Hockey Academy |
| 1:30 PM | Ritu Rani Hockey Academy vs Vadipatti Raja Hockey Academy |
| 3:00 PM | Mumbai Schools Sports Association vs Adyar Hockey Academy |
| 4:30 PM | Bhai Behlo Hockey Academy Bhagta vs Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy |
With several of India's top junior hockey academies participating, the championship is expected to provide an important platform for identifying promising young players while strengthening the country's women's hockey development pathway. The tournament also offers athletes valuable exposure to high-level competition as they progress through the national hockey system.
About Hockey India
Hockey India is the national governing body for hockey in India and is responsible for promoting, developing and managing the sport across all levels, including grassroots, domestic competitions and the national teams.
(Inputs from Press Release)