Kumar Bahukhandi
A specially created illustration highlights the upcoming Chhattisgarh Hockey League, scheduled to begin in Raipur on Thursday, October 22, 2026, with JioHotstar as its official streaming partner. The tournament will feature six franchises and 18 matches, with live coverage in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi beginning at 5:30 PM daily and the final scheduled for November 1.Image: AI-generated representational graphic for channel24india.com
India’s First Hockey India-Recognised State Hockey League to Feature Six Franchises, 18 Matches and Olympian Stars; Live Coverage from Raipur Begins October 22 in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi
PL-ORIGINAL | Sports News
Key Highlights
- JioHotstar named official streaming partner of the Chhattisgarh Hockey League.
- All 18 matches to be streamed live from October 22 to November 1, 2026, starting at 5:30 PM daily.
- Six franchises representing six cities of Chhattisgarh will compete in the tournament.
- Olympians Surender Kumar, Pradeep Mor, S. V. Sunil and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay among prominent players.
- Women’s exhibition match scheduled on the opening day to promote women’s hockey.
- Live coverage in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi will help bring regional sporting talent to wider audiences.
RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh is preparing to make a significant mark on India’s hockey landscape as JioHotstar becomes the official streaming partner of the Chhattisgarh Hockey League, providing a digital platform for the state’s emerging talent to reach audiences across India and beyond. Scheduled from October 22 to November 1, 2026, in Raipur, the tournament will feature six city-based franchises, 18 competitive matches and several established Indian hockey players, marking an important initiative in the development of the sport at the state level.
The partnership will allow hockey enthusiasts to follow the competition live on JioHotstar, with broadcasts beginning at 5:30 PM each day in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi.
The initiative is expected to enhance the visibility of Chhattisgarh’s hockey players while providing them with opportunities to compete alongside experienced national and international-level athletes.
Historic First for State-Level Hockey in India
The Chhattisgarh Hockey League has been described by the organisers as India’s first official state hockey league recognised by Hockey India.
The tournament represents an organised effort to create a competitive platform for players emerging from different parts of Chhattisgarh.
Six franchises representing six cities will participate in the league, bringing regional representation and competitive spirit to the tournament.
The competition will follow a league format, with the top four teams progressing to the semi-finals. The final is scheduled for November 1, 2026.
With 18 matches planned over the tournament period, spectators can expect an extensive display of hockey skills, teamwork and competitive determination.
JioHotstar Partnership Opens Doors to National and International Visibility
The selection of JioHotstar as the official streaming partner is a significant development for the tournament’s outreach and visibility.
Digital streaming will enable viewers beyond the physical venue to watch matches and follow the performances of Chhattisgarh’s players.
The availability of live coverage in both Hindi and Chhattisgarhi is particularly important for strengthening the connection between the tournament and its regional audience.
It also reflects an effort to make organised hockey more accessible to viewers who prefer watching sporting events in their own language.
The partnership is expected to introduce the league to a wider sporting audience while encouraging greater interest in hockey across the state.
Olympic Experience to Add Competitive Strength
The presence of prominent Indian hockey players is expected to be one of the tournament’s major attractions.
Among the marquee players announced for the league are Olympian Surender Kumar, Pradeep Mor, S. V. Sunil, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Shamsher and Chinglensana Singh Kangujam.
These experienced players are expected to provide leadership to the participating franchises and bring valuable competitive experience to the tournament.
Their involvement will also offer emerging players an opportunity to observe and learn from athletes who have competed at the highest levels of Indian hockey.
For young players aspiring to represent the country, competing in an environment featuring established hockey personalities can provide important exposure and motivation.
Sports Director Akanksha Shiksha Khalkho Highlights League’s Vision
Director of Sports and Youth Welfare Akanksha Shiksha Khalkho described the Chhattisgarh Hockey League as the beginning of an important new chapter in Indian hockey.
She emphasised that the primary objective was to provide players from Chhattisgarh with better opportunities to develop their abilities and perform at state, national and international levels.
“The Chhattisgarh Hockey League marks the beginning of a remarkable chapter in Indian hockey history. Its principal objective is to provide players from the state with opportunities to excel at state, national and international levels,” Khalkho said, according to the Hindi statement provided by the department.
Highlighting the significance of the streaming partnership, she added:
“With all league matches being streamed live on JioHotstar, the tournament will gain recognition at national and global levels. The entire world will be able to witness the talent of Chhattisgarh’s players from the hockey field in Raipur.”
Her remarks underline the government’s ambition to transform the tournament into a platform that combines sporting excellence, player development and wider public engagement.
Women’s Exhibition Match to Encourage Female Participation
In addition to the men’s competition, the Chhattisgarh Department of Sports and Youth Welfare will organise a women’s exhibition match on the opening day of the tournament.
The initiative is intended to promote women’s hockey and encourage greater participation among girls and young women.
By including a women’s match in the opening programme, the organisers aim to draw attention to the importance of equal sporting opportunities and the development of women’s hockey.
The exhibition will also provide visibility to female athletes and reinforce the broader objective of encouraging participation in organised sports.
Six Franchises to Strengthen Regional Sporting Identity
The participation of six franchises representing different cities is expected to create a stronger connection between local communities and the sport.
City-based teams can encourage regional support, develop competitive rivalries and provide an organised structure for identifying promising players.
The league is also expected to create opportunities for athletes to gain match experience in a professionally structured competitive environment.
Regular competitive exposure is essential for developing technical ability, tactical awareness, physical fitness and confidence.
By bringing players together under a recognised league structure, the initiative seeks to contribute to the long-term growth of hockey in Chhattisgarh.
‘Chalo Re Sangi Hockey Khelbo’ Celebrates Chhattisgarh’s Sporting Spirit
The tournament’s tagline, “चलो रे संगी हॉकी खेलबो” (Come, Friends, Let’s Play Hockey), reflects the organisers’ effort to connect the sport with Chhattisgarh’s language, cultural identity and community spirit.
The slogan gives the competition a distinctly regional character while conveying an invitation to young people to participate in hockey.
The league aims not merely to organise matches but also to strengthen the wider hockey environment by encouraging emerging players and generating greater public interest.
The use of Chhattisgarhi commentary alongside Hindi is expected to reinforce that regional connection and make the competition more engaging for local audiences.
Digital Broadcasting Could Transform Visibility of Emerging Players
One of the most important aspects of the league is the opportunity for relatively lesser-known players to demonstrate their abilities before a much larger audience.
Traditionally, many promising athletes at the state level have limited opportunities to attract attention beyond local tournaments.
Live streaming can help overcome this limitation by allowing performances to be watched outside the stadium and beyond geographical boundaries.
The availability of matches on a major digital platform could also generate greater interest among young viewers, sports enthusiasts and potential future players.
For Chhattisgarh, the initiative represents an opportunity to establish a stronger identity within India’s competitive hockey ecosystem.
Raipur Prepares to Host Eleven Days of Hockey Action
With the opening scheduled for October 22 and the final on November 1, Raipur will host an eleven-day sporting event bringing together experienced players, emerging talent and hockey enthusiasts.
The tournament is expected to showcase the competitive potential of the participating franchises while highlighting the state’s ambition to develop hockey through organised competitions.
The combination of recognised players, regional representation, women’s participation and digital broadcasting gives the league a broader significance beyond its immediate sporting results.
As the countdown begins, the Chhattisgarh Hockey League is positioning itself as an important platform for discovering talent, encouraging young athletes and bringing the state’s hockey aspirations into the national spotlight.
Chhattisgarh Hockey League 2026: At a Glance
Dates
22 October – 1 November 2026
Venue city
Raipur, Chhattisgarh
Total matches
18
Participating franchises
6
Live streaming
JioHotstar
Daily broadcast begins
5:30 PM IST
Languages
Hindi and Chhattisgarhi
Final
1 November 2026
