The FIH Hockey Pro League, the annual international hockey tournament that pits the world’s best countries against each other, is coming to Belgium again at the end of this month. From 22 May to 2 June, Wilrijkse Plein in Antwerp will play host to 8 match days of top-level international hockey.
After previous rounds in Argentina and India, Wilrijkse Plein will be the setting for a series of matches in the fifth season of the FIH Hockey Pro League. Six women’s national teams and six men’s national teams will be in action from 22 May to 2 June, spread over eight match days. So, fans can look forward to top matches between Belgium, India, Spain, Argentina, New Zealand, Ireland, USA, and Australia. One of the most exciting men’s matches will be the one between the Red Lions and Australia, a replay of the Olympic final in Tokyo, where the Belgians won gold.
ULTIMATE OLYMPIC TEST
Two months before the start of the Olympics in Paris, all countries are in full preparation mode to chase an Olympic medal and eternal glory. The Hockey Pro League in Antwerp therefore counts as the ultimate test in the final straight towards Paris. Which countries are ready? And who will make the final selection among the Red Lions and Red Panthers?
The matches will be played in a stadium that can hold 3,500 spectators. Tickets for the Red Lions and Red Panthers matches star from €10 (€5 for children). Several match days are already almost sold out, again demonstrating the unabated popularity of our national hockey teams.
This makes the FIH Hockey Pro League the ideal time to enjoy top international hockey and cheer on the Red Lions and Red Panthers one last time in their final preparation for the Olympics.
“Paris is just around the corner. While the Red Lions will do everything they can to remain on their Olympic throne, the Red Panthers will undoubtedly be itching to knock the Netherlands off theirs,” said Antwerp Councillor for Sport Peter Wouters. “In Paris it really is all about winning, but there is a lot at stake in this FIH Hockey Pro League too, both for the teams and the individual players. So, the place to be for top international hockey is Antwerp. Let’s fill up the stands on Wilrijkse Plein for these pre-Olympics matches and stand as one behind the Lions and Panthers, helping our hockey-stick virtuosos to go into the final straight towards Paris with a great feeling.”
