Key Takeaways
- Field Hockey Canada has launched its 2026 competition calendar, outlining international and domestic events for the year.
- The Women’s National Team will embark on a training tour in South Africa, followed by the FIH World Cup Qualifiers in Chile for both senior national teams.
- The Indoor Masters World Cup will take place in Nottingham, UK, and the CANAM Indoor Series will be held in New Jersey.
- Field Hockey Canada is sending four youth women’s and one men’s tour to Europe as part of its international youth programming.
- The Junior (U21) National Teams will compete in the 2026 PAHF Junior Pan American Championships in Santiago, Chile.
- The U18 Nationals will be held in Surrey, BC, and the U16 Nationals will be held in Calgary.
Introduction to the 2026 Competition Calendar
Field Hockey Canada is excited to launch its 2026 competition calendar, which outlines a packed schedule of international and domestic events for the year. The calendar begins with the Women’s National Team embarking on a training tour in South Africa, featuring five officially capped matches against the South African National Team. Following this, both senior national teams will travel to Chile for the FIH World Cup Qualifiers, where they will compete for a spot in the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and Netherlands.
International Competitions and Events
The FIH World Cup Qualifiers will take place from March 1-8, and the two teams that make the finals will automatically qualify for the World Cup, as will the winner of the bronze medal. The highest world-ranked 4th place team after the final day of the qualifiers will also qualify for the World Cup. The Indoor Masters World Cup will take place in Nottingham, UK, from March 26-31, and the CANAM Indoor Series will be held in New Jersey from March 13-15. The Junior (U21) National Teams will compete in the 2026 PAHF Junior Pan American Championships in Santiago, Chile, from April 7-18.
Youth Programming and Development
Field Hockey Canada is committed to developing its youth programs, and this is evident in the number of international youth tournaments scheduled for 2026. Four youth women’s and one men’s tour will be sent to Europe as part of the organization’s international youth programming. The U18 girls’ teams will travel to Wales and Czechia, while the U16 team and U18 team will go to Poznan, Poland. The boys’ team will head to Germany to take part in a coveted international tournament in Frankfurt. The NextGen camp-based national training program will also be launched, aimed at building competitive depth in the pipeline to the U21 national team and senior-level hockey.
Domestic Competitions and Championships
The U18 Nationals will be held in Surrey, BC, from July 21-26, and the U16 Nationals will be held in Calgary from August 4-9. These championships will showcase the best up-and-coming talent in each province and provide a competitive highlight for provinces across the country. The USPORTS Championships will also be held in the fall, with the host to be announced in the summer. This tournament has become a premier showcase of Canada’s university hockey final-4 action, and this year’s edition promises to be just as exciting.
Conclusion and Future Events
Field Hockey Canada is excited for the year ahead, with a packed schedule of international and domestic events. The organization is committed to developing its youth programs and providing opportunities for its national teams to compete on the world stage. As the summer wraps up and turns to fall, Field Hockey Canada will continue to provide updates, events coverage, and resources for its members. The 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and Netherlands will be a major highlight of the year, and both the Men’s and Women’s National Teams will be battling to secure their spots in this prestigious tournament. With its strong growth and development in youth hockey, Field Hockey Canada is poised for a successful year ahead.