The Hockey India League (HIL) 2026 mini-auction was held on Wednesday with franchises rebuilding their squad for the upcoming event. The auction that was held in New Delhi witnessed eight men’s teams and four women’s teams making their bids to complete their 20-member squads
Over 100 men’s hockey players and over 100 women’s went under the hammer. Each franchise built a squad consisting of at least 13 Indian hockey players (with a mandatory inclusion of three junior players) and a maximum of seven international stars.
Ahead of the auction, Ranchi Royals was unveiled as the league’s newest franchise, replacing Team Gonasika (men’s) and Odisha Warriors (women’s), both of whom withdrew after the first season.
Australia’s Liam Henderson emerged as the most expensive men’s player and was eventually snapped up by Kalinga Lancers. HIL Governing Council (formerly UP Rudras) acquired Germany’s Thies Prinz, while Dutch hockey player Sander De Wijn was acquired by the Tamil Nadu Dragons roster.
India junior team goalkeeper Vivek Lakra has headed to the new team, Ranchi Royals while 14-year-old forward Ketan Kushwaha went to defending champions Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers.
In the women’s Hockey India League auction, Argentina’s Agustina Gorzelany and Valentina Raposo Ruiz de los Llanos were the top buys for Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, while Granatto Maria Jose joined JSW Soorma Hockey Club.
Monika, acquired by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, emerged as the most sought-after Indian women’s hockey player at Hockey India League 2026 mini auction.
The Hockey India League 2026 edition returns after a gap of seven years in 2024-25 and will commence from January 5.
Also Read: Hockey India League 2026: Complete Team Squads And Full List Of Players
Hockey India League 2026: Top 10 Most Expensive Men Players
| Rank | Player Name | Country | Team | Price (in Lakhs) |
| 1 | Liam Henderson | Australia | Vedanta Kalinga Lancers | ₹42 |
| 2 | Sander de Wijn | Netherlands | Tamil Nadu Dragons | ₹36 |
| = | Thies Prinz | Germany | HIL Governing Council | ₹36 |
| 4 | Cooper Burns | Australia | Vedanta Kalinga Lancers | ₹34.5 |
| 5 | Vivek Lakra | India | Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers | ₹23 |
| 6 | Ajeet Yadav | India | HIL Governing Council | ₹11.5 |
| 7 | Adrohit Ekka | India | Tamil Nadu Dragons | ₹11 |
| = | Bram Van Battum | Netherlands | SG Pipers | ₹11 |
| = | Loick Luypaert | Belgium | Ranchi Royals | ₹10 |
| = | Sam Lane | Australia | Ranchi Royals | ₹10 |
| = | Jack Waller | England | Ranchi Royals | ₹10 |
| = | Tom Grambusch | Germany | Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers | ₹10 |
| = | Bobby Singh Dhami | India | Vedanta Kalinga Lancers | ₹10 |
| = | Jed Snowden | Australia | Vedanta Kalinga Lancers | ₹10 |
| = | Craig Marais | South Africa | Vedanta Kalinga Lancers | ₹10 |
| = | Roman Duvekot | Netherlands | SG Pipers | ₹10 |
Hockey India League 2026: Top 10 Most Expensive Women Players
| Rank | Player Name | Country | Team | Price (in Lakhs) |
| 1 | Agustina Gorzelany | Argentina | Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers | ₹42 |
| 2 | María José Granatto | Argentina | JSW Soorma Hockey Club | ₹34 |
| 3 | Valentina Raposo Ruiz de los Llanos | Argentina | Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers | ₹30 |
| 4 | Lola Riera Zuzuarregui | Spain | SG Pipers | ₹21 |
| 5 | Monika | India | Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers | ₹15 |
| = | Agustina Albertarrio | Argentina | Ranchi Royals | ₹15 |
| = | Agostina Alonso | Argentina | Ranchi Royals | ₹15 |
| 8 | Lucina Von Der Heyde | Argentina | Ranchi Royals | ₹14 |
| = | Noor Orpa de Baat | Netherlands | Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers | ₹14 |
| 10 | Juana Castellaro Morello | Argentina | SG Pipers | ₹12.5 |
