Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League Season 3 set to begin in Ladakh  

Expanded round-robin league to feature 11 men’s and 5 women’s teams from

Rakesh Thapliyal

Leh, Ladakh: The Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League (REIHL) returns to Ladakh for its third season, set to begin tomorrow, January 29, and running through February 14, 2026, at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Stadium. Building on months of structured training and community-led preparation, Season 3 marks the League’s most expansive and competitive edition to date, reaffirming its role as a critical platform for the growth of Ice Hockey in the Himalayan region.

Spanning 17 days, the League will feature a complete round-robin format across both men’s and women’s categories, ensuring each team competes against each other. This format underscores the growing competitive depth and consistency of Ice Hockey talent emerging from Ladakh.

Defending champions Kangs Sing enter Season 3 as the team to beat, having retained their men’s title last year with a dominant 5–2 victory over Changthang Shans in the final. The men’s champions remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, with captain Mushtaq Ahmed Giri earning the Best Player award in the men’s category. In the women’s category, Padma Chorol emerged as the Best Player. On the scoring front, Waseem Bilal of Humas Warriors led the men’s scoring charts with 10 goals, while Tsewang Chuskit led the women’s category with 10 goals. Reinforcing the League’s emphasis on sportsmanship, the Fair Play Awards were presented to Humas Warriors (men) and Sham Eagles (women) for their exemplary conduct on the ice.

Opening Day Fixtures

The League will begin on January 29 with Sham Wolves taking on debutants Kharu Falcons in the opening game at 9:00 AM. This will be followed by a clash between last season’s semi-finalists, Purig Warriors and Humas Warriors, at 11:00 AM.

The opening ceremony, scheduled for 12:30 PM, will mark the formal commencement of the season in the august presence of Mr. Ashish Kundra, IAS, Chief Secretary, Union Territory of Ladakh. Also, Ladakh’s popular band, Dashugs, will perform at the ceremony, setting the tone for a season that blends high-intensity competition with strong local cultural identity.

Post the ceremony, the women’s category will take centre stage as last season’s runners-up Changla Lamos face Sham Eagles, a repeat of their semi-final encounter from the REIHL Season 2. The day will also see men’s defending champions Kangs Sing begin their title defence against last season’s runners-up Changthang Shans, followed by Changla Blasters locking horns with Zanskar Chadar Tamers.

In the women’s category, Kharu Eagles, making their League debut this season, will play their first match against Humas Queens on January 31.

Center Zone and Pin Zone Men’s team in action during Spiti Cup Season 2. File photo. 

League Structure and Progression

From January 29 to February 11, the League stage will feature 4-5 matches per day, comprising four men’s matches and one women’s match, ensuring consistent competitive exposure for all teams. The final day of the league stage will include a full slate of decisive fixtures across both categories, setting the stage for the knockouts.

The semi-finals are scheduled for February 12, with the top four teams from each category qualifying. The first-placed team will face the fourth-placed team in Semi-final 1, followed by the second versus third clash in Semi-final 2.

The women’s final will be played on February 13 at 11:00 AM, while the men’s final is scheduled for February 14 at 11:00 AM, bringing the season to a close.

Season 2 drew over 10,000 spectators across the tournament, with more than 7,000 fans attending the finals, transforming the NDS Stadium into one of Ladakh’s most vibrant winter sporting venues. With an expanded match calendar and a full round-robin format this season, the League is expected to further deepen fan engagement and community participation.

Full Schedule: https://www.instagram.com/p/DT-ewj0AW1N/?igsh=cGJndHNrZDJkMGs1

From Training to Competition

Season 3 represents the competitive culmination of a holistic technical development programme initiated in late 2025, which focused on coach education, referee training, and grassroots scouting across Ladakh and neighbouring regions. Trained local coaches have spent the winter months working within their communities to prepare teams for structured league play, ensuring the League serves as a direct bridge between grassroots participation and organised competition.

Aligned with the Blueprint for the Development of Ice Hockey in Ladakh, the League continues to play a vital role in strengthening local sporting ecosystems, empowering youth and women, and transforming frozen rinks into shared community spaces during the long winter months. As teams from Leh, Nubra, Kargil, Zanskar, Changthang, and Kharu take to the ice, Season 3 stands as a reflection of the growing scale, professionalism, and community ownership of Ice Hockey in the Himalayas.

Beyond sport, the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League continues to contribute meaningfully to community engagement, youth participation, and winter tourism in Ladakh. Matches transform frozen rinks into shared community spaces, drawing families, local supporters, and visitors, and reinforcing Ice Hockey’s deep cultural roots in the region.

Through the League, Royal Enfield continues to advance its Social Mission of empowering Himalayan communities through sport—strengthening local sporting ecosystems, building livelihoods, creating pathways for youth and women, and fostering a holistic winter sports culture across the Himalayas.