Everything You Need to Know About the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026
From 15 to 30 August 2026, the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, the world's biggest hockey tournament, will take place. For the first time, the Netherlands and Belgium will jointly host the World Cup, with the world's top 16 women's teams and 16 men's teams competing for the world title.
The matches will be divided between two host cities. In the Netherlands, the iconic Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam will host half of all World Cup matches, including all group-stage matches of the Dutch Women's and Men's Hockey Teams. The other half of the tournament will be played at the brand-new Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, near Brussels. The women's final will be held in Amsterdam, while the men's final will take place in Belgium.
For the Netherlands, this is a special tournament. The Dutch Women's Hockey Team will defend its world title in front of a home crowd and is once again considered one of the favourites. The Dutch Men's Hockey Team hopes to make history on home soil and claim the world title for the first time since 1998. During the group stage, the women will face Australia, Japan and Chile, while the men will take on Argentina, New Zealand and Japan.
The World Cup will be played under a new competition format. Following the initial group stage, the top two teams from each pool will advance to a second group stage, after which the best teams will progress to the semi-finals. As a result, every match will be crucial from the very first day of competition, with high stakes throughout the tournament.
A visit to the Hockey World Cup is about much more than just the matches on the pitch. Around Wagener Stadium, a vibrant event venue will feature the Rabo Fanzone, live performances by popular Dutch artists, food and beverage outlets, shops, and activities for visitors of all ages. Fans will also have the opportunity to experience hockey firsthand on the Hockey5s pitches and take part in a variety of sporting challenges. This makes the World Cup a complete day out for both passionate hockey fans and visitors discovering the sport for the first time.
There will also be plenty for children to enjoy during the tournament. In the HelloFresh Talent Zone, young visitors can test their hockey skills through a range of fun challenges. After completing all activities, they can celebrate with a champion's photo on the podium. In addition, children can discover the exciting Hockey5s format by playing themselves or watching demonstrations on the Hockey5s pitches.
With thousands of supporters, the world's best hockey players and a unique festival atmosphere, the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 promises to be one of the biggest and most memorable sporting events of the year. It is a unique opportunity to cheer on TeamNL's Dutch hockey stars from close range while enjoying everything the World Cup has to offer both on and off the field.