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LA28 Olympic Hockey Path Revealed: How 12 Teams Will Battle for Glory

The road to Olympic hockey glory in Los Angeles is now officially mapped out. Teams will battle for spots through a mix of league performance, continental supremacy, and last-chance tournaments. The action will take place at the transformed Carson Fields, a new state-of-the-art venue. With hockey's rich Olympic history, the race for the 2028 podium is officially on.

Key Points: IOC Approves LA28 Olympic Hockey Qualification System

  • 12 teams per gender will compete, including host nation USA
  • Top FIH Pro League team from 2025-27 seasons earns direct qualification
  • Continental champions from Africa, Pan America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania secure berths
  • Final spots decided via four Olympic Qualification Tournaments in early 2028
3 min read

IOC approves LA28 Olympic hockey tournaments qualification system

The IOC has approved the qualification system for the 2028 LA Olympics hockey tournaments, involving the FIH Pro League, Continental Championships, and Qualification Tournaments.

"The remaining 11 participating teams per gender will result from the FIH Pro League, the Continental Championships, and a fixed number of Olympic Qualification Tournaments. - International Hockey Federation (FIH)"

Lausanne, Dec 11

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved the qualification system for both women’s and men’s hockey tournaments at the next Olympic Games that will take place in Los Angeles, USA, in 2028. This is an important milestone in the build-up to the next Olympics.

Like the editions since the Beijing Olympics in 2008, 12 teams per gender will participate in the quadrennial mega-event, including the host nation, the USA.

The remaining 11 participating teams per gender will result from the FIH Pro League, the Continental Championships, and a fixed number of Olympic Qualification Tournaments, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) informed in a release on Thursday.

The highest-placed nation in the FIH Hockey Pro League Seasons 2025-26 and 2026-27 will qualify for LA28. If the same team that wins the 2025-26 Season also wins the 2026-27 Season, the runner-up of the 2026-27 Season will qualify.

The highest placed team in each of the five Continental Championships, that is not already qualified as host or through the FIH Hockey Pro League, will gain direct berths. Should the nations that qualified through the FIH Hockey Pro League be the highest placed in their continental championships, the next highest placed nation in such continental championships will qualify.

The Continental Championships include the African Hockey Road to LA28 (scheduled in 2027), the 20th Pan American Games (scheduled in 2027), the 20th Asian Games (scheduled in 2026), the EuroHockey Championship (scheduled in 2027), and the Oceania Cup (scheduled in 2027).

If the USA wins the 20th Pan American Games in 2027, the second-placed nation will not subsequently qualify; instead, the quota place will be allocated through the FIH Olympic Qualification Tournaments.

There will be four FIH Olympic Qualification Tournaments -- two per gender -- consisting of eight teams each, held in early 2028, with the top two teams in each tournament qualifying and therefore completing the line-up of participating teams.

Located just outside downtown Los Angeles, Carson Fields, which is adjacent to the world-renowned venue that serves as the home of the LA Galaxy football team, will be transformed into a state-of-the-art hockey venue, equipped to host thrilling matches, vibrant fan activations, and moments that will shape the next chapter of Olympic hockey history.

Hockey has been an Olympic sport since 1908. The Netherlands won both gold medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics. India is the most successful nation in field hockey at the Olympic Games with eight gold medals, six of them in a row,

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the Pro League getting a direct spot. It adds more weight to those matches. As a neutral fan, I hope this system gives some smaller hockey nations a fair shot at qualification through their continental events.
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Priyanka N
The venue at Carson Fields sounds exciting! Hope the Indian diaspora in the US turns up in huge numbers to support our teams if they qualify. We need to reclaim our Olympic hockey glory. Eight golds is a proud history, but we need to add to that tally.
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Rohit P
The system seems fair on paper, but I have a respectful criticism. Having the final qualification tournaments so early in 2028 puts immense pressure on teams. A bad week could ruin four years of preparation. Wish there was a slightly longer window or a second chance.
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Karthik V
Focus should be on the Pro League and Asian Games. Our men's team is consistently in the top 3 of the Pro League, so that's a strong chance. For the women, the Asian Games will be tough with China and Japan, but they can do it! Let's go, India! 🏑
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Michael C
As a host nation fan, excited to see hockey come to LA in a proper stadium setup. Hope Team USA can leverage the home advantage and put up a good show. The qualification through the Pan Am Games will be crucial for them.

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