The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved the qualification system for the women’s and men’s hockey tournaments at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. This marks a significant step in the preparation
for the next Olympics.
As with all editions since the Beijing 2008 Olympics, 12 teams per gender will compete in this major event, including the host nation, the USA.
The remaining 11 teams per gender will qualify through the FIH Pro League, the Continental Championships, and a set number of Olympic Qualification Tournaments, according to a release from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Thursday.
The top nation from the FIH Hockey Pro League Seasons 2025-26 and 2026-27 will secure a spot at LA28. If the same team wins both seasons, the runner-up of the 2026-27 season will qualify.
The highest-placed team from each of the five Continental Championships, not already qualified as hosts or through the FIH Hockey Pro League, will earn direct berths. If a team that has qualified through the Pro League also wins their continental championship, the next highest-placed team in that championship will qualify.
The Continental Championships include the African Hockey Road to LA28 (2027), the 20th Pan American Games (2027), the 20th Asian Games (2026), the EuroHockey Championship (2027), and the Oceania Cup (2027).
If the USA wins the 20th Pan American Games in 2027, the second-placed nation will not automatically qualify; instead, the quota place will be allocated through the FIH Olympic Qualification Tournaments.
There will be four FIH Olympic Qualification Tournaments – two per gender – each featuring eight teams and held in early 2028. The top two teams from each tournament will qualify, thus completing the roster of participating teams.
Where Will The Qualifiers Be Held?
Carson Fields, located just outside downtown Los Angeles and adjacent to the LA Galaxy’s home venue, will be transformed into a state-of-the-art hockey venue.
Hockey has been an Olympic sport since 1908. The Netherlands won both gold medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics. India remains the most successful nation in Olympic field hockey, with eight gold medals, six of them consecutive.
(With inputs from Agencies)
