The 4th Hockey India Junior Women Academy Championship 2026 (Zone A & B) is set to commence in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, starting Friday. Over the course of 11 days, the tournament will showcase top junior women’s hockey academies from around the country, aiming to spotlight emerging talent in Indian hockey. The championship will culminate on August 3, with teams from both zones vying for the title.
Twelve academy teams will compete, divided into two pools of six teams each. The teams will face each other within their respective pools during the league stage. The top two teams from each pool will progress to the semi-finals scheduled for August 2. The tournament will wrap up with a third-place playoff and the final match on August 3.
Pool A features teams such as Raja Karan Hockey Academy, Khalsa Hockey Academy (Amritsar), Sports Authority of Gujarat – Hockey Academy, Hockey Family Badhkhalsa NCR Hockey Society, Tamil Nadu Hockey Academy, and Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy in Sonepat. Meanwhile, Pool B includes Ritu Rani Hockey Academy, Vadipatti Raja Hockey Academy, Bhai Behlo Hockey Academy Bhagta, Mumbai Schools Sports Association, Adyar Hockey Academy, and Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy.
Throughout the pool stage, the tournament will follow a league format where teams secure three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. In case of tied classification matches, a shoot-out will be used to determine the winner as per the FIH Tournament Regulations.
Expressing his thoughts ahead of the championship, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey emphasized the significance of the Junior Women Academy Championship in fostering the grassroots development pathway for women’s hockey in India. He highlighted the opportunity it provides young players to compete against top academy talent, gaining valuable experience in a competitive setting. Hockey India Secretary General Bola Nath Singh echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the role of academies in nurturing young talent and preparing them for future endeavors in hockey.
The tournament’s opening day will witness exciting matches, with Raja Karan Hockey Academy facing Khalsa Hockey Academy (Amritsar) at 7:30 AM. Subsequent games include Sports Authority of Gujarat – Hockey Academy versus Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy, Sonepat, and Hockey Family Badhkhalsa NCR Hockey Society against Tamil Nadu Hockey Academy. In Pool B, Ritu Rani Hockey Academy will clash with Vadipatti Raja Hockey Academy, followed by Mumbai Schools Sports Association taking on Adyar Hockey Academy, and Bhai Behlo Hockey Academy Bhagta playing against the host, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy at 4:30 PM.
