FIH Women’s Pro League 2024-25: How can the Indian Women’s Hockey Team escape relegation?

With two matches remaining in their campaign, the Indian women’s hockey team stands at a precarious crossroad in the FIH Women’s Pro League 2024–25.

After 14 games, India sits at the bottom of the table (9th) with 10 points.

Their latest 0–2 defeat to Belgium on 22 June came after a shootout loss to Argentina (following a 2–2 draw) and a 5–1 loss to Belgium, adding just 1 point from the last three matches.

India now trails England (11 points from 14 matches) and Germany (10 points from 12 matches).

The threat of relegation to the second-tier Nations League looms large, and India’s future now hinges not only on their own results but also on those of their closest rivals.

Understanding the points system

According to the Pro League’s format, a team earns three points for a regulation-time win, two bonus points for a shootout win after a draw, one point for a shootout loss, and no points for a defeat in regulation time.

Each team plays a total of 16 matches, and the team at the bottom of the table at the end of the season will be relegated.

As it stands, India can still collect a maximum of 6 points from their final two matches—both against China. And this would take their total to 16.

However, Germany, which is currently eighth, has four matches in hand and can mathematically reach a high of 22 points.

England, also fighting to survive, has two matches remaining and can reach a maximum of 17 points.

What India need to do to stay in FIH Pro League?

India is now at the brink of relegation, and the equation has become even tighter.

If India earns fewer than 4 points from their remaining fixtures, relegation is almost certain. Even one win or a few shootout results for England — or any solid performances by Germany — would be enough to keep India at the bottom.

If India collects 4 to 5 points, survival is possible, but it would no longer be in their control. Much would depend on England not winning both of their games or Germany failing to take advantage of their remaining fixtures.

If India manages to earn the full 6 points — by beating China twice in regulation time — they will finish with 16 points, and can potentially leapfrog England (provided England doesn't win both games against Germany). Germany’s remaining four matches also carry high stakes, but their path includes strong opponents, making their climb less predictable.

For India, the clearest route to safety is straightforward but difficult: win both games against China. These fixtures are essentially six-pointers, offering India a chance to build momentum while denying China any additional points.

India’s fate is not yet sealed, but their margin for error is razor-thin. Relegation is avoidable — but only if India performs flawlessly, and rivals falter at just the right moments.

What does relegation mean for India?

Relegation from the FIH Women’s Pro League is not just a drop in status—it carries real, long-term consequences for the national women's hockey program.

For India, it would mean losing out on 16 high-quality, competitive matches annually, right at a time when the Olympic cycle is gaining momentum.

These fixtures are vital for fine-tuning combinations, blooding youngsters against world-class opposition, and preparing tactically for major tournaments like the Asian Games, World Cup, and the Olympics.

Without Pro League exposure, the international calendar becomes thin, often limited to invitational tournaments and friendlies that lack the same intensity.

This limited match time can lead to rustiness, reduced adaptability under pressure, and an overall drop in international match fitness. Also, sponsorship could be impacted as well.

For a team that needs consistent exposure to stay sharp and evolve tactically, relegation could severely stall momentum and development when it matters the most.

(Updated on June 24, Saturday at 4:30 PM)