The Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League Season 3 Kicks Off in Leh, Ladakh
The Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League (REIHL) is all set to make a grand return to Ladakh for its third season, starting tomorrow, January 29, and running until February 14, 2026, at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Stadium. This season promises to be the most competitive and expansive yet, highlighting its significance as a crucial platform for the growth of Ice Hockey in the Himalayan region.
Over the course of 17 days, the League will showcase a complete round-robin format across both men’s and women’s categories, ensuring that each team goes head-to-head with the others. This format serves as a testament to the increasing depth and consistency of Ice Hockey talent emerging from Ladakh.
Reigning champions Kangs Sing enter Season 3 as the team to beat, having clinched the men’s title last year with a commanding 5–2 victory over Changthang Shans in the final. The men’s champions maintained a flawless record throughout the tournament, with captain Mushtaq Ahmed Giri receiving the Best Player award in the men’s category. In the women’s category, Padma Chorol emerged as the Best Player. Leading the scoring charts were Waseem Bilal of Humas Warriors in the men’s category with 10 goals and Tsewang Chuskit in the women’s category with 10 goals. The League’s commitment to sportsmanship was highlighted through the Fair Play Awards presented to Humas Warriors (men) and Sham Eagles (women) for their exemplary behavior on the ice.
Exciting Opening Day Fixtures
The League will kick off on January 29 with Sham Wolves facing off against debutants Kharu Falcons in the opening game at 9:00 AM. This will be followed by a showdown between last season’s semi-finalists, Purig Warriors and Humas Warriors, at 11:00 AM.
The opening ceremony, scheduled for 12:30 PM, will officially mark the beginning of the season in the presence of Mr. Ashish Kundra, IAS, Chief Secretary, Union Territory of Ladakh. Additionally, Ladakh’s renowned band, Dashugs, will entertain the audience, setting the stage for a season that blends intense competition with strong local cultural elements.
Following the ceremony, the spotlight will shift to the women’s category as last season’s runners-up Changla Lamos take on Sham Eagles, a rematch of their semi-final encounter from REIHL Season 2. The day will also witness men’s defending champions Kangs Sing commencing their title defense against last season’s runners-up Changthang Shans, followed by Changla Blasters clashing with Zanskar Chadar Tamers.
In the women’s category, Kharu Eagles, making their League debut this season, will play their inaugural match against Humas Queens on January 31.
League Structure and Progression
From January 29 to February 11, the League stage will feature 4-5 matches daily, 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 witness a full slate of decisive fixtures in both categories, setting the stage for the knockouts.
The semi-finals are slated for February 12, with the top four teams from each category advancing. The first-placed team will square off against the fourth-placed team in Semi-final 1, followed by the second versus third clash in Semi-final 2.
The women’s final is scheduled for February 13 at 11:00 AM, while the men’s final will take place on February 14 at 11:00 AM, bringing the season to a thrilling conclusion.
With an expanded match calendar and a full round-robin format this season, the League is poised to deepen fan engagement and community involvement, building on the success of Season 2, which drew over 10,000 spectators across the tournament and transformed the NDS Stadium into one of Ladakh’s premier winter sports venues.
Empowering Through Sport
Season 3 marks the culmination of a comprehensive technical development program launched in late 2025, focusing on coach education, referee training, and grassroots scouting across Ladakh and neighboring regions. Trained local coaches have dedicated the winter months to preparing teams for structured league play, bridging the gap between grassroots participation and organized competition.
In line with the Blueprint for the Development of Ice Hockey in Ladakh, the League continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing local sporting ecosystems, empowering youth and women, and transforming frozen rinks into communal spaces during the long winter months. As teams from Leh, Nubra, Kargil, Zanskar, Changthang, and Kharu take to the ice, Season 3 embodies the growing scale, professionalism, and community engagement of Ice Hockey in the Himalayas.
Apart from the sporting aspect, the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League contributes significantly to community engagement, youth participation, and winter tourism in Ladakh. Matches bring together families, local enthusiasts, and visitors, transforming frozen rinks into communal hubs 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, bolstering local sporting ecosystems, creating livelihood opportunities, fostering youth and women’s development, and nurturing a holistic winter sports culture across the Himalayas.
