Punjab, Odisha and Tamil Nadu in Race for 2030 Hockey World Cup
India could be preparing for another major opportunity to host the FIH Hockey World Cup in 2030, with Punjab, Odisha and Tamil Nadu emerging as the leading contenders. Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh has confirmed that discussions are underway, although the final hosting rights have not yet been decided.
Speaking about the possibilities, Singh said all three states were in the race, while indicating that Odisha would remain the first preference. He also expressed his intention to bring both the men’s and women’s World Cups to India.
Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Punjab Make Their Case
Odisha has established itself as one of India’s leading hockey destinations, having hosted the men’s Hockey World Cup twice. The state has invested significantly in international-standard facilities and has become an important venue for major domestic and international competitions.
Tamil Nadu has also strengthened its position as a potential host after organising the Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup last year across Chennai and Madurai. The state has produced several Olympians and remains an important centre for Indian hockey.
Punjab, meanwhile, is looking to make its mark on the international hockey calendar. Despite being widely recognised as one of the traditional centres of Indian hockey and producing generations of international players, the state has never hosted the senior Hockey World Cup.
Punjab’s Hockey Legacy Could Strengthen Its Bid
Punjab is currently hosting the men’s Asian Champions Trophy, with matches taking place in Jalandhar and Mohali. The tournament is particularly significant for the state as it marks the return of international hockey after a long gap. Punjab’s last international hockey event was the Gold Cup in 2009.
Singh explained that bringing international hockey to Punjab was also about giving families an opportunity to watch their players represent India on home soil. He recalled that several players, including national team captain Harmanpreet Singh, had spoken about their parents never having the chance to watch them play an international match in Punjab.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has also expressed the state’s willingness to host the 2030 World Cup, making a public appeal during the Asian Champions Trophy’s inaugural ceremony.
India Also Eyes the Women’s World Cup
Alongside the men’s tournament, Hockey India is also looking at the possibility of bringing the 2030 Women’s Hockey World Cup to India. Singh has said that his broader objective is to take international hockey to different parts of the country and develop infrastructure that meets global standards.
Bihar has also emerged as a potential host for the women’s event. Singh confirmed that the state had received a communication regarding the hosting process. Bihar previously hosted the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in 2024 and the Men’s Asia Cup in 2025.
Meanwhile, Bhopal is scheduled to host the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy from November 19 to 28, 2026. The tournament will bring international women’s hockey to Madhya Pradesh, another state looking to strengthen its presence in the sport.
Hosting Rights Yet to Be Confirmed
India has hosted the men’s Hockey World Cup four times but has never staged the women’s edition. Bringing both tournaments to the country in 2030 would be a major development for Indian hockey.
However, the hosting rights are yet to be officially allocated. With Odisha’s experience, Tamil Nadu’s recent junior-level hosting record and Punjab’s strong hockey heritage, the three states have different strengths to offer as India explores its bid for the 2030 competitions.
