HIL Mini Auction LIVE Updates: The stage is set for the much-anticipated Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2026 Men's and Women's Mini Auctions, scheduled to take place in New Delhi on 24th September 2025.
With teams keen to fine-tune their rosters and lock in the brightest stars from the global hockey circuit, the event promises plenty of drama, strategy, and suspense off the turf.
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More than 100 male and over 100 female players will go under the hammer, with franchises working within a salary cap of INR 4 Crores for men and INR 2 Crores for women. Each team must assemble a 20-member squad (2 goalkeepers and 18 outfield players), while rules allow up to 7 overseas signings and mandate at least 3 Indian juniors, ensuring balance and opportunities for emerging talent.
Players will be listed under three base price categories - INR 2 Lakhs, INR 5 Lakhs, and INR 10 Lakhs, with INR 2 Lakhs as the minimum bid bracket for both Indian and foreign athletes. Importantly, teams can only participate in bidding if they have the budget and vacant slots, and they must keep their purse aligned with the squad requirements.
The auctions, seen as a crucial step in shaping squads for HIL 2026, are already generating buzz. With strategic planning underway in every camp, fans can expect intense bidding wars for top talent. The event begins at 10:30 AM, with the men's auction first, followed by the women's auction.
Reacting to the auction, President Dilip Tirkey said that organizing a league like the HIL takes a lot of hard work and planning. Hockey has a strong history in India, and the league helps more players get opportunities and makes the sport more inclusive. It also raises the profile of hockey. The league gives companies a chance to get involved and support players. He thanked the franchise partners for their support. The mini auction is an important step for the second edition of the league. He wished all the teams and players good luck.
