Ireland's Women's Hockey Team Joins FIH Pro League for 2025-26 Season

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has officially announced that Ireland’s national women’s hockey team, affectionately known as the “Green Army,” will join the FIH Hockey Pro League starting in the 2025-26 season. This significant milestone marks the first time the team, which was a finalist in the 2018 FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup, will participate in what is often referred to as the “League of the Best.”

Ireland secured its place in the Pro League through its commendable performance at the FIH Hockey Nations Cup held in Chile earlier this year. Although the team finished as runners-up to New Zealand in that tournament, Hockey New Zealand later opted not to take up the invitation to join the Pro League. Consequently, FIH extended the invitation to Ireland, adhering to its regulations regarding team placements.

FIH President Tayyab Ikram expressed his enthusiasm about Ireland’s inclusion, stating, “Congratulations to the Ireland Women team for joining the next season of the FIH Hockey Pro League! It’s wonderful to see a new team participating in the ‘League of the Best.’ Qualifying through the FIH Hockey Nations Cup confirms how much the latter is a great springboard to join hockey’s elite.”

Following the announcement, Gareth Grundie, Head Coach of the Ireland Women’s team, expressed his delight, emphasizing the opportunity for growth and competition against the world’s top teams. He stated, “I am delighted that we have been given the opportunity to participate in the FIH Pro League 2025/26 Season 7. It’s a testament to the quality of play this team has achieved to date and is an excellent and invaluable opportunity for further improvement. It comes at an ideal time for us as a programme also, pitting us against the World’s best teams as we go in search of qualification for the 2026 FIH World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.”

This announcement comes on the heels of a challenging season for the Indian women’s team, who finished last in the 2024-25 Women’s Pro League and have consequently been relegated to the FIH Hockey Nations Cup. In contrast, on the men’s side, Hockey New Zealand has been granted an extension until July 21 to decide on their participation in the Pro League after their recent victory at the Nations Cup in Malaysia.

The inclusion of Ireland in the Pro League is seen as a step forward for the sport in the country and is expected to elevate the profile of women’s hockey in Ireland, as well as provide the players with valuable experience at the highest level of competition. The FIH Hockey Pro League, which features top-tier teams from around the world, is set to commence its next season amid heightened anticipation from fans and players alike, marking a new chapter in Ireland’s hockey history.

This development not only enhances the competitive landscape of women’s hockey but also signifies the growing recognition and investment in the sport at various levels. As teams prepare for the 2025-26 season, all eyes will be on Ireland to see how they fare against the elite teams in the world, setting the stage for future successes and challenges in international women’s hockey.