Hockey India Introduces Promotion-Relegation Format for Senior Women's National Championship 2025 in Panchkula

Hockey India announced a significant overhaul to the structure of the Senior Women's National Championship, introducing an exciting new promotion and relegation system. The 2025 championship, scheduled to take place from March 1 to March 12 in Panchkula, Haryana, aims to boost competition levels and provide clear pathways for teams to progress or face relegation based on their performances.

New Competitive Format to Boost Quality of Hockey​

Under the revamped system, the 28 participating teams are categorized into three distinct divisions: Division A, Division B, and Division C. This change not only intensifies competition but also adds strategic depth, ensuring every match holds significance, whether teams are competing for titles, promotions, or avoiding relegation.

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey emphasized the importance of the new format, stating, "The introduction of the promotion and relegation system is a significant step in raising the standard of hockey across the country. It ensures every match in the Championship holds importance, whether it's a battle for the title or to avoid relegation. We look forward to an exciting tournament where teams can showcase their skills and aim for the top."

How the Divisions Are Structured:​

Division A: The Battle for Glory​

Division A, comprising the top 12 teams, is split into four pools, each containing three teams. Teams will compete in a league format within their respective pools. The two highest-ranked teams from each pool will move forward to the quarterfinals scheduled for March 9. Subsequently, the semifinals will occur on March 10, culminating in the final and the third-place playoff match on March 12. Crucially, the bottom two teams from Division A will face relegation to Division B for the next season.

Division A Pools:

• Pool A: Hockey Haryana, Hockey Association of Odisha, Hockey Karnataka
• Pool B: Hockey Maharashtra, Manipur Hockey, Hockey Punjab
• Pool C: Hockey Jharkhand, Hockey Mizoram, Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu
• Pool D: Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Hockey Bengal, Uttar Pradesh Hockey

Division B: Rising to the Challenge​

Division B will feature nine ambitious teams striving to secure promotion to Division A. Organized into two pools (five teams in Pool A and four in Pool B), this division will rely entirely on league standings without knockout stages. The top two teams will earn promotion to Division A, while the bottom two teams face relegation to Division C.

Division B Pools:

• Pool A: Telangana Hockey, Hockey Uttarakhand, Assam Hockey, Hockey Rajasthan, Hockey Association of Bihar
• Pool B: Delhi Hockey, Chhattisgarh Hockey, Hockey Chandigarh, Hockey Himachal

Division C: Pathway to Progress​

Division C includes seven teams divided into two pools, with three teams in Pool A and four in Pool B. Similar to Division B, the competition will be conducted exclusively through league matches, with the two best-performing teams ascending to Division B in the subsequent season.

Division C Pools:

• Pool A: Kerala Hockey, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey, Hockey Gujarat
• Pool B: Hockey Andhra Pradesh, Le Puducherry Hockey, Hockey Arunachal, Hockey Jammu and Kashmir

Points System and Final Standings​

Across all divisions, points will be awarded based on match results during the league stages:

• Win: 3 points
• Draw: 1 point
• Loss: 0 points

In Division A, the league phase transitions into knockout rounds, while in Divisions B and C, the final standings—and therefore promotions and relegations—will be determined solely based on league results.

The 2025 Senior Women's National Championship in Panchkula promises fierce competition and a significant leap forward for women's hockey in India, as teams vie passionately for promotions and strive to avoid relegation.