The Birmingham Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning Kookaburras and silver medal-winning Hockeyroos will take on fellow Commonwealth Games hockey heavyweights on Australian soil.
Adelaide will play host to two blockbuster test series between Australia and India starting with a men’s 5-match series from 26 November – 4 December 2022.
To be held at MATE Stadium, it will be the first time the world number one ranked Kookaburras have played an international in South Australia since July 2009.
The matches will be the Kookaburras’ first since they defeated India to win gold at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Notably, Kookaburras co-captain and Birmingham 2022 Opening Ceremony flagbearer Eddie Ockenden is set to make his 400th appearance in the series.
Currently on 398 international matches (which is more than anyone has played for Australia), Eddie will become the first to reach this remarkable milestone – stamping him as one of the game’s all time greats.
Additionally, Hockey Australia will also launch its All-Ability Coaching Guide on International Day of Disabled Persons on 3 December) in Match 4 of the series.
All five matches will be broadcast LIVE on FOX Sports and live streamed on LIVEHockey. The matches will also be streamed globally on the FIH Watch.Hockey app.
The Hockeyroos v India series is scheduled to take place in May 2023 (dates to be confirmed).
The Hockeyroos’ last internationals in South Australia came in November 2017 in a Test Series against Japan.
“From the moment we raised the prospect of hosting these matches in Adelaide, the South Australian Government has shown enormous enthusiasm and eagerness to host, so we are delighted to bring these series to South Australia,” Hockey Australia CEO David Pryles said.
“Australia and India have developed a fierce rivalry on the hockey pitch in recent times. Coupled with there being a large and passionate Indian population in Adelaide, there is no doubt this series will be a hot ticket to get hold of and attract terrific crowds.
“Add in Eddie Ockenden’s expected 400-game milestone and it gives these matches another level of interest and importance.
“We hope all South Australian sports fans make the most of the opportunity to see the world’s best hockey team against a genuine contender on the international stage.”
Hon. Katrine Hildyard MP, South Australia Minister for Sport, Minister for Women said: “This upcoming series will see some of the world’s best hockey players take to the pitch.
“This is a huge win for SA’s hockey community and our broader community, with this exclusive series set to provide plenty of opportunity for fans to check out the action.
“Events like this have the potential to inspire future generations of Hockeyroos and Kookaburras who will no doubt love watching their sporting heroes from the stands.”
Kookaburras v India Series
MATE Stadium, Adelaide
Match 1 – Saturday 26 November (4.00pm local time, 4.30pm AEDT)
Match 2 – Sunday 27 November (4.00pm local time, 4.30pm AEDT)
Match 3 –Wednesday 30 November (6.30pm local time, 7.00pm AEDT)
Match 4 – Saturday 3 December (4.00pm local time, 4.30pm AEDT)
Match 5 – Sunday 4 December (4.00pm local time, 4.30pm AEDT)
Hockeyroos v India Series
MATE Stadium, Adelaide
May 2023 (dates TBC)
