FIH Pro League has already become one of the most important and competitive tournaments of the worldwide field hockey calendar. It is an annual tournament that was introduced to replace the defunct FIH Hockey World League which is played as a round robin league in which, the world best national teams compete with each other, across continents in home and away matches.
Ever since its inception, the league served two purposes, including presenting high-quality professional field hockey play and acting as a qualification pathway to the Hockey World Cup as well as the Olympic Games in the 2009 season (its inaugural season).
Up to the 202425 season, the Men FIH Pro league will comprise nine international giants and will keep on developing in new formats, team pool, and rivalries that make the game live. We go into the history, structure, teams, and moments to remember which make the FIH Pro League what it is today.
So What Is The FIH Pro League?
Men FIH Pro League is an international field hockey league that is undertaken by International Hockey Federation (FIH). It was launched in 2019 and represented a radical shift in the international field hockey when the home-and-away league system of playing world-best national teams was presented. The format makes it possible to engage in more frequent international competition and, in addition, increase the visibility and interest to the audiences globally.
The tournament spans from October to June each year and concludes with the team at the top of the standings being declared the league champion. Since the 2022–23 season, a promotion and relegation system was introduced, whereby the bottom-placed team is relegated and replaced by the winner of the FIH Nations Cup.
Format and Structure
The FIH Pro League features:
- Nine men’s and nine women’s teams
- Home and away fixtures across the globe
- A single league table where points are accumulated throughout the season
- Promotion/relegation mechanism from the 2022–23 season onward
- The league also serves as a qualifier for major international events, including the World Cup and Olympics.
Historical Context and Key Changes
Initially, Hockey India withdrew from the league citing concerns over the ranking system and Olympic qualification paths. Spain was invited in their place. Pakistan, too, was suspended in 2019 for failing to play their initial matches. However, in a recent twist, Pakistan is poised to return, potentially taking New Zealand’s spot after the latter withdrew due to financial constraints.
Teams like France, South Africa, and Great Britain have had varied participation based on qualification and regional reshuffling. Australia and New Zealand also withdrew from the 2021–22 season due to COVID-19 restrictions but returned later.
Current Men’s Teams (2024–25 Season)
| Country | Notes |
| Argentina | Consistent performer in all seasons |
| Australia | Two-time champions |
| Belgium | Olympic champions and 2020–21 Pro League winners |
| Germany | Known for their tactical excellence |
| England | Replacing Great Britain in recent seasons |
| India | Rising force in global hockey |
| Ireland | Replacing New Zealand |
| Netherlands | Most successful team in Pro League history |
| Spain | Regular participant with strong defense |
Former Participating Teams
| Country | Reason for Exit or Absence |
| New Zealand | Withdrew for 2024–25 due to financial issues |
| Pakistan | Suspended in 2019, re-invited for 2025–26 |
| France | Participated in 2021–22 only |
| South Africa | Competed in 2021–22 |
| Great Britain | Split back into England post-2023–24 |
FIH Pro League Results by Year
| Edition | Year | Winner | Runner-up | Third Place | Fourth Place | Host |
| 1 | 2019 | Australia | Belgium | Netherlands | Great Britain | Amstelveen |
| 2 | 2020–21 | Belgium | Australia | Germany | India | Round-robin |
| 3 | 2021–22 | Netherlands | Belgium | India | Germany | Round-robin |
| 4 | 2022–23 | Netherlands | Great Britain | Belgium | India | Round-robin |
| 5 | 2023–24 | Australia | Netherlands | Great Britain | Argentina | Round-robin |
| 6 | 2024–25 | Netherlands | TBD | TBD | TBD | Round-robin |
All-Time Nation Performance
| Team | Winners | Runners-up | Third Place | Fourth Place |
| Netherlands | 3 | 1 | 1 | – |
| Australia | 2 | 1 | – | – |
| Belgium | 1 | 2 | 1 | – |
| Great Britain | – | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| India | – | – | 1 | 2 |
| Germany | – | – | 1 | 1 |
| Argentina | – | – | – | 1 |
Pro League and Pakisan Back
Hockey revival in Pakistan might be on the way. After New Zealand pulled out of the 202425 season, the FIH proffered an offer to the Pakistan Hockey Federation. Having lost to New Zealand in the final of Hat-Trick Nations Cup 2024, there is a big possibility now that Men in Green will again be setting foot on the international stage.
The decision is essential to help Pakistan, which is always a strong force in field hockey, resurrect its place on the world stage in the international arena following years of poor administration and poor results.
Noteworthy Matches and Comebacks
Germany 3 – 2 Australia (Men)
In a thrilling Berlin showdown during the 2024–25 season, Germany staged a sensational comeback from 0–2 down to beat Australia 3–2. Goals from Peillat, Mertgens, and Schwarzhaupt flipped the momentum after an early barrage from Australia.
Player of the Match: Thies Prinz
Germany 2 – 3 China (Women)
On the women’s side, China stunned host Germany with a dramatic 3–2 win, overturning the game in the final quarter. A late drag flick by Jinzhuang Tan sealed China’s highest-ever finish in the league.
Player of the Match: Huang Haiyan
Hero Top Scorers (as of June 2025)
| Category | Player | Country | Goals |
| Men | Tom Boon | Belgium | 19 |
| Women | Yibbi Jansen | Netherlands | 17 |
Challenges and Future Prospects
The FIH Pro League has faced various challenges, including team withdrawals, financial issues, and pandemic-induced disruptions. However, its promotion-relegation system, global media coverage, and increasing competitiveness are clear indicators of growth.
Looking ahead, expanding digital streaming, improving travel logistics for teams, and enhancing fan engagement will be key areas of focus. The Pro League is not just a tournament—it’s the beating heart of modern international field hockey.
Conclusion
The Men’s FIH Pro League is redefining how field hockey is played, viewed, and followed across the world. It combines world-class talent with a dynamic, evolving format that keeps fans engaged from October to June. With the inclusion of historic teams like Pakistan, emerging stars from India, tactical dominance from Belgium, and resilience from Germany, the league is a tapestry of rich hockey culture and fierce athleticism.
Whether you’re a die-hard supporter or new to the sport, the FIH Pro League promises unrelenting excitement and the highest standard of hockey on the planet. Keep an eye on the matches, cheer for your nation, and witness the future of hockey unfold.
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