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Arch-rivals Pakistan and India are set to square off in the Pro League with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) unveiling the schedule of the marquee event on Monday.
According to the schedule, the nine-team tournament will consist of 144 matches, hosted in 10 countries, across three rounds.
“This season will see the arrival of Ireland women and Pakistan men, both making their debut in the competition, having been promoted via the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2024-25, adding further depth and excitement to the Pro League,” the federation said in a statement.
Pakistan will kick off their campaign in Argentina with the matches against the home side before taking on the defending champions, the Netherlands, from December 9 to December 14.
In the second round, Pakistan will head for Australia, where they will be playing against the home side and Germany between February 10 and 15.
The third round will be played in Belgium from June 13 to 21, 2026, where they will face Spain and Belgium.
Finally, Pakistan will travel to England from June 23 to 28, where they will play the home side and arch-rivals India.
Two months earlier, the Pakistan hockey team received a formal invitation from the FIH to participate in the Hockey Pro League, scheduled to take place in December this year.
The invitation followed New Zealand’s decision not to participate in the FIH Hockey Pro League due to financial constraints.
Consequently, the FIH gave PHF a deadline to inform about its decision to accept or decline the invitation.
Eventually, Green Shirts’ spot in the marquee event came after the federal government approved a financial assistance package of Rs 250 million.
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