Hockey India League 2026: Which teams are best placed to qualify for playoffs?
(Courtesy : Hockey India League)
Shrachi Bengal Tigers and SG Pipers are already out of contention.
With the league stage nearing its conclusion, the Hockey India League 2026 is set for a dramatic finish as teams battle for playoff qualification and crucial positioning in the top four.
Each team is scheduled to play a maximum of seven matches, and with only two league fixtures remaining, the qualification picture is now taking definitive shape.
Kalinga Lancers have already sealed a top-two finish and confirmed their place in Qualifier 1, while two teams are officially out of the playoff race. Five teams remain in contention for the remaining three knockout spots, and the second top-two position remains wide open.
The final two league-stage matches are Tamil Nadu Dragons vs Ranchi Royals on 21 January and Soorma Hockey Club vs SG Pipers on 22 January, both to be played at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
These fixtures will not only decide which teams make it into the playoffs but will also determine the final league standings and knockout matchups.
The knockout stage will follow the page-playoff format. Qualifier 1, featuring the top two teams from the league stage, will be played on 23 January. The winner of that match will advance directly to the final, while the loser will get another chance in Qualifier 2.
The Eliminator, also scheduled for 23 January, will be contested between the teams finishing third and fourth. The winner of the Eliminator will face the loser of Qualifier 1 in Qualifier 2 on 25 January.
The final and the third-place match will be held on 26 January, completing a high-stakes climax to the tournament.
Which teams can qualify for Hockey India League 2026?
Kalinga Lancers (Qualified for Qualifier 1)
The Kalinga Lancers are the only team that has secured their position in the playoffs and have also locked in a top-two finish. With four wins, two shootout wins, and just one loss from seven matches, they have accumulated 16 points and sit comfortably at the top of the table.
Their superior consistency and positive goal difference of +8 have ensured that no other team can dislodge them from the top two.
The Lancers are guaranteed a top-of-the-table finish. Ranchi Royals, the only team that can come close, can reach a maximum of 14 points if they win their final match.
Ranchi Royals
Ranchi Royals are in pole position to secure the second top-two spot and a direct entry into Qualifier 1. With 11 points from six matches, they are currently second in the standings and still have one league game remaining, against Tamil Nadu Dragons.
A win in that match will take Ranchi to 14 points, which would guarantee them a top-two finish and a place in Qualifier 1 alongside the Kalinga Lancers.
It would also remove any dependency on other results, making their qualification scenario straightforward and fully in their own hands.
Even in the event of a draw or loss, Ranchi Royals are still well placed to qualify for the playoffs, as their current points tally already puts them level with Hyderabad Toofans and HIL Governing Council, who have completed all their matches.
However, a loss would complicate their top-two ambitions and could leave them vulnerable to dropping into the eliminator zone, depending on how other teams fare on goal difference.
Hyderabad Toofans
Hyderabad Toofans have completed all seven of their league matches and are currently placed third with 11 points and a healthy goal difference of +6. Their fate is now entirely in the hands of other teams, as they have no further opportunities to add to their points tally.
Hyderabad are well positioned to qualify for the playoffs, but they are not yet mathematically safe. Their qualification depends primarily on the results of Ranchi Royals, Soorma Hockey Club, and Tamil Nadu Dragons.
If Ranchi Royals win or draw their final match, Hyderabad are almost certain to remain in the top four. However, if Ranchi loses and both Soorma and Tamil Nadu win their respective matches, Hyderabad could potentially be pushed down the standings depending on goal-difference calculations.
A top-two finish is theoretically possible but highly unlikely. For Hyderabad to finish in the top two, Ranchi Royals would need to lose their final match, and a significant swing in goal difference would be required. Given that Hyderabad have no remaining matches to improve their numbers, this scenario is considered remote.
HIL Governing Council
HIL Governing Council are in a similar position to Hyderabad Toofans, having completed all seven of their league matches and sitting fourth with 11 points and a goal difference of +3. They remain in playoff contention but have no control over their own destiny.
Their qualification will hinge on the outcomes of the final two league fixtures. If either Soorma Hockey Club or Tamil Nadu Dragons fails to win their matches, HIL Governing Council will almost certainly retain a top-four spot.
However, if both Soorma and Tamil Nadu win and Ranchi Royals also lose, the HIL Governing Council could find itself at risk of being overtaken on points and goal difference.
Like Hyderabad, their chances of finishing in the top two are extremely slim. Such a scenario would require a heavy defeat for Ranchi Royals combined with extraordinary goal-difference reversals, which appears highly improbable given the current table.
Soorma Hockey Club
Soorma Hockey Club are one of the two teams still fighting for survival in the playoff race. With eight points from six matches, they must win their final league fixture against SG Pipers to have any realistic chance of qualifying.
A win will take Soorma to 11 points, placing them level with Ranchi Royals, Hyderabad Toofans, and HIL Governing Council. In that case, qualification will depend on goal difference and the result of the Ranchi vs Tamil Nadu match.
Given their current goal difference of -3, Soorma will likely need not just a win, but a convincing one, to improve their tie-breaker position.
Any result other than a win will eliminate Soorma Hockey Club from playoff contention. A draw or loss would leave them on nine points or fewer, which would be insufficient to break into the top four.
Tamil Nadu Dragons
Tamil Nadu Dragons are in a similar do-or-die position as Soorma Hockey Club. With eight points from six matches, they face Ranchi Royals in their final league game and must win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
A win would take Tamil Nadu to 11 points and push them into a multi-team tie for the remaining playoff spots. However, their current goal difference of -3 places them at a disadvantage compared to Hyderabad Toofans and HIL Governing Council.
Like Soorma, they would likely need a strong winning margin to significantly boost their qualification chances.
A loss will immediately eliminate the Tamil Nadu Dragons from playoff contention. Even a draw will not be sufficient, as it would only take them to nine points, which is unlikely to be enough to break into the top four.
Rarh Bengal Tigers (Eliminated)
The Rarh Bengal Tigers have completed all seven of their league matches and are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. With nine points and a negative goal difference of -8, they cannot reach the current top-four threshold, even if other results go their way.
Although they will finish outside the playoff zone, Rarh Bengal Tigers still have a role to play in influencing final standings indirectly through the goal-difference benchmarks they have already set.
Their campaign has been marked by inconsistency, and they will now turn their attention to building momentum for future editions of the league.
SG Pipers (Eliminated)
SG Pipers are also officially out of the playoff race. With just four points from six matches and a goal difference of -10, they can reach a maximum of seven points even if they win their final match against Soorma Hockey Club.
While they no longer have a chance to qualify, SG Pipers still have the potential to play spoiler by eliminating Soorma Hockey Club if they manage to secure a positive result. Their final fixture could therefore have a significant impact on the shape of the top four.
Which team have already qualified for Qualifier 1?
Kalinga Lancers have secured a top-two finish and are guaranteed a place in Qualifier 1.
How many teams will qualify for the Hockey India League 2026 playoffs?
The top four teams from the league stage will qualify for the playoffs.
Which teams are still in contention for the remaining playoff spots?
Ranchi Royals, Hyderabad Toofans, HIL Governing Council, Soorma Hockey Club, and Tamil Nadu Dragons are still in the race for the last three playoff positions.
Which teams have been eliminated from playoff contention?
Rarh Bengal Tigers and SG Pipers are officially eliminated from the playoff race.
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Farzan is a journalist at Khel Now covering Indian Olympic sports and kabaddi. With five years of experience working with major sports organizations like Chennaiyin FC, Dabang Delhi K.C., Rajasthan Royals, and Yuva Kabaddi Series, he brings diverse expertise. Farzan has covered two Olympics, one Commonwealth Games, and one Asian Games, making his knowledge of Indian sports broad and versatile.