The 2025 FIH Hockey Pro League got off to a flying – if windswept – start at the Sport Ireland Campus yesterday, as Storm Bram’s blustery conditions failed to deter a strong crowd or derail two high-quality opening fixtures.
The League’s first day in Dublin delivered drama, goals, and a double Belgian victory, a fine reward for Hockey Ireland’s decision to pitch to host the tournament a mere ten weeks ago.
“We’re a small organisation with a big responsibility to deliver a big event like this,” said Nick McElwee, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at Hockey Ireland, speaking to the Sport for Business Daily Podcast on Monday.
“So what’s really important is it’s properly planned out, and then we build around us a network of suppliers, partners and volunteers that we really rely on, bringing subject-matter expertise to deliver our plan.”
Despite both matches being neutral fixtures, fans packed the sidelines, braving swirling gusts to witness four of the world’s top sides in action. They were rewarded with eight goals across the two games and a lively festival atmosphere around the venue, which remained in full operation despite the weather.
Belgium Men Impress Against Germany
World #3 Belgium produced a commanding performance to defeat reigning European champions and World #2 Germany. Newly crowned FIH World Player of the Year Tom Boon opened the scoring with typical precision before Thomas Crols doubled the advantage with a sharp finish from open play. Crols struck again just after half-time, giving Belgium a cushion that Germany only briefly dented through Paul-Philipp Kaufmann.
Any hopes of a German comeback were short-lived as Alexander Hendrikx restored Belgium’s three-goal lead in the final quarter, sealing a confident 4–1 win and setting an early marker in the tournament.
Red Dragons Dominate England Women
The Belgian Women ensured it was a perfect day for supporters of the Red Lions and Red Dragons with a clinical 3–0 win over England. Stephanie Vanden Borre needed just seven minutes to put Belgium in front before doubling the lead shortly after half-time. Charlotte Englebert added a late third to cap an impressive display from one of Europe’s rising forces.
Ireland Debut Looms on Sold-Out Day Two
Attention now turns to Day Two today, when the Ireland Women’s team will make their long-awaited FIH Hockey Pro League debut. A sold-out crowd is expected at the Sport Ireland Campus for the 14:00 clash against Belgium, with live coverage on RTÉ News and the RTÉ Player. The fixture marks a significant moment for Irish hockey and for the event’s presenting partners, who have played a central role in bringing world-class international sport to Dublin.
Before that, England Men will open their own campaign against Germany at 11:30, a match that will be available live on the TG4 Player as part of the broadcaster’s ongoing support of elite hockey.
The Pro League block in Dublin was only awarded to Hockey Ireland ten weeks ago, after the decision was taken with the FIH to move fixtures that had originally been scheduled for Argentina. That compressed timeline has made the successful opening day, and the delivery of a global TV product for the FIH and its partners, all the more significant.
“We’re hosting at Sport Ireland Campus, which is a fantastic facility, but it’s not a hockey venue,” said McElwee. “So we have to build a venue around the pitch that doesn’t exist – infrastructure, where to view, power, internet – all of those aspects. You need really good partners so that we can deliver a venue that not just looks like a venue, but actually behaves like a venue and brings an experience to the fans that they’ll remember and want to come back for.”
That experience includes two big screens – one pitch-side and another in a fan village beside the pavilion – as well as a 15-foot Christmas tree and family-friendly activation areas, made possible by strong early ticket sales and support from Sport Ireland and the Sport Ireland Campus team, along with tournament hotel, transport and infrastructure partners.
Image Credit: Sport for Business
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