Pakistan Hockey League Formally Launched in Islamabad, Inaugural Season Set for 2027
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation formally launched the Pakistan Hockey League in Islamabad on Wednesday, taking the first concrete step towards the Pakistan Hockey League 2027 season and a professional franchise competition aimed at reviving the country’s national sport.
The inaugural season of the PHL is planned for 2027. The league is being developed on the model of the FIH Hockey Pro League and the Indian Hockey League, with six to eight franchise teams expected to take part in the first edition.
The PHF has awarded the league rights to Mediacast following a competitive bidding process held earlier this year. Leading international players are expected to be contracted alongside Pakistani players, giving local talent the chance to train and compete with experienced professionals.
Pakistan Hockey League 2027 aims at revival
The federation pitched the league as a route to a professional and commercially sustainable hockey structure. It will seek private-sector investment through franchise ownership and corporate sponsorships, opening commercial avenues in broadcasting, digital content, merchandising, advertising, hospitality, ticketing and grassroots development.
Beyond the playing field, the PHF expects the league to create opportunities for Pakistani hockey professionals to work with international experts in coaching, management, sports science and league operations.
As Feature Pakistan reported when the launch date was announced on October 2, the federation sees the league as central to modernising Pakistan’s hockey infrastructure and creating new investment and player-development pathways.
A long road to launch
The idea is not new. The PHF has been working on a league blueprint since 2016, but earlier plans stalled over permissions, scheduling clashes and financial constraints. The proposal regained momentum in 2022, and the federation said in August this year that it was working with partners to make the league a reality.
The timing is significant. Pakistan’s hockey has endured a difficult stretch. The men’s team missed the Asian Champions Trophy and must come through a qualifier to reach the Olympics. A franchise league is the federation’s answer to giving players more high-quality matches at home.
Notably, international hockey is already on Pakistani soil this week. A touring Guangdong side from China began a ten-match tour of Pakistan on Wednesday, facing local sides in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Wah Cantt, Lahore, Narowal and Gojra through October 29, a reminder of the grassroots appetite the new league hopes to tap.
What comes next
Team names, owners, venues and match dates have not been announced. Those details, along with the player auction or draft mechanism, will determine whether the PHL becomes a genuine commercial product or another false dawn for the sport.
If it succeeds, the league could do for hockey what the Pakistan Super League did for cricket: create a domestic spectacle, attract sponsors, and give young players a stage. Pakistan’s hockey tradition, built on Olympic golds and World Cup triumphs, deserves nothing less.
Frequently asked questions
When will the Pakistan Hockey League start?
The PHF formally launched the league on October 14, 2026, with the inaugural franchise-based season planned for 2027.
How many teams will play in the PHL?
Six to eight franchise teams are expected in the first edition, with international players featuring alongside Pakistani players.
Who holds the league rights?
The PHF awarded the rights to Mediacast after a competitive bidding process earlier this year.
Will foreign players take part?
Yes. The federation says renowned international players will be contracted, allowing Pakistani players to share dressing rooms with them.
*Sources: Pakistan Hockey Federation via Geo Super, A-Sports and APP, October 14, 2026.*
