Field Hockey · Interesting Facts
Chapter 4: Clubs & Venues
10 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 31 October 2026 · markdown
Chapter 4 looks at the places where field hockey is played and the clubs that built it. Two London clubs, Blackheath and Teddington, both claim to be first, and the answer depends on what you count. Teddington's cricketers in Bushy Park needed a winter game, and they turned down Blackheath's rugby-style rules and its solid rubber cube.
The stadiums come with arguments. The Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen was built by the Amsterdam Hockey & Bandy Club and named for its president Joop Wagener, who died in 1945, and it was revamped before the 2019 Pro League Grand Final. Lahore's stadium is described as the largest hockey stadium in the world, until its pitch was ripped up. The Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela was built for the 2023 men's World Cup, and press totals vary between 20,011, 20,846 and 21,800. Bhubaneswar's Kalinga Stadium was renovated before the 2018 World Cup, and London 2012 first played the sport on blue turf.
The rest covers Milton Keynes, where England built a national hockey stadium and lost it to the football club that became MK Dons, the Euro Hockey League's clubs, and how British sportsmen brought the game to Belgium in 1904.
The facts below cover the oldest clubs, Teddington's story, the Wagener Stadium, Lahore, Rourkela, the Kalinga Stadium, Olympic hockey grounds, Milton Keynes, the Euro Hockey League's clubs and Belgium's beginnings.
4.41Who Is the Oldest?
Two London clubs both claim to be first, and it depends what you count.
Test 1The oldest clubsTake a test
Its early game used a solid rubber cube rather than a ball.
Source: Blackheath Hockey Club history (blackheath.co.uk); Teddington Hockey Club, 'History'; Surbiton Hockey Club, 'Our club'; The Hockey Museum on Surbiton's archive; SW Londoner on Teddington's 150th · recall
It dates from 1871, and marked its 150th birthday in the 2020s.
Source: Blackheath Hockey Club history (blackheath.co.uk); Teddington Hockey Club, 'History'; Surbiton Hockey Club, 'Our club'; The Hockey Museum on Surbiton's archive; SW Londoner on Teddington's 150th · recall
It came just three years after Teddington.
Source: Blackheath Hockey Club history (blackheath.co.uk); Teddington Hockey Club, 'History'; Surbiton Hockey Club, 'Our club'; The Hockey Museum on Surbiton's archive; SW Londoner on Teddington's 150th · recall
Its minute book is how we know the rules of 1876.
Source: Blackheath Hockey Club history (blackheath.co.uk); Teddington Hockey Club, 'History'; Surbiton Hockey Club, 'Our club'; The Hockey Museum on Surbiton's archive; SW Londoner on Teddington's 150th · recall
The two games shared players for many years.
Source: Blackheath Hockey Club history (blackheath.co.uk); Teddington Hockey Club, 'History'; Surbiton Hockey Club, 'Our club'; The Hockey Museum on Surbiton's archive; SW Londoner on Teddington's 150th · recall
They were cricketers looking for a game for the winter.
Source: Blackheath Hockey Club history (blackheath.co.uk); Teddington Hockey Club, 'History'; Surbiton Hockey Club, 'Our club'; The Hockey Museum on Surbiton's archive; SW Londoner on Teddington's 150th · recall
The museum names it among the very first clubs, now gone.
Source: Blackheath Hockey Club history (blackheath.co.uk); Teddington Hockey Club, 'History'; Surbiton Hockey Club, 'Our club'; The Hockey Museum on Surbiton's archive; SW Londoner on Teddington's 150th · recall
1861, 1871, 1874, 1892.
Source: Blackheath Hockey Club history (blackheath.co.uk); Teddington Hockey Club, 'History'; Surbiton Hockey Club, 'Our club'; The Hockey Museum on Surbiton's archive; SW Londoner on Teddington's 150th · recall
1861, 1871, 1874, 1886.
Source: Blackheath Hockey Club history (blackheath.co.uk); Teddington Hockey Club, 'History'; Surbiton Hockey Club, 'Our club'; The Hockey Museum on Surbiton's archive; SW Londoner on Teddington's 150th · recall
Teddington's cricket club, in Bushy Park, needed something to do in the cold months.
Source: Teddington Hockey Club, 'History' (teddingtonhockey.club/history); Twickenham Museum; SW Londoner, 'World's oldest club celebrates 150th anniversary' · applied
4.42Teddington's Story
From the 7-ounce rubber cube it refused, to the Olympic players it produced.
Test 1Teddington Hockey ClubTake a test
It went with Blackheath's rugby-style rules, which they did not want.
Source: Teddington Hockey Club, 'History' (teddingtonhockey.club/history); Twickenham Museum; SW Londoner, 'World's oldest club celebrates 150th anniversary' · recall
Rejecting Blackheath's rugby-style game left the kicking code as their model.
Source: Teddington Hockey Club, 'History' (teddingtonhockey.club/history); Twickenham Museum; SW Londoner, 'World's oldest club celebrates 150th anniversary' · recall
It is still the number on the field today.
Source: Teddington Hockey Club, 'History' (teddingtonhockey.club/history); Twickenham Museum; SW Londoner, 'World's oldest club celebrates 150th anniversary' · recall
It became the striking circle.
Source: Teddington Hockey Club, 'History' (teddingtonhockey.club/history); Twickenham Museum; SW Londoner, 'World's oldest club celebrates 150th anniversary' · recall
Teddington's cricket club had recently moved there.
Source: Teddington Hockey Club, 'History' (teddingtonhockey.club/history); Twickenham Museum; SW Londoner, 'World's oldest club celebrates 150th anniversary' · recall
The national league system came almost twenty years later.
Source: Teddington Hockey Club, 'History' (teddingtonhockey.club/history); Twickenham Museum; SW Londoner, 'World's oldest club celebrates 150th anniversary' · recall
Laslett, Giles, Wilson and Daly all went to Atlanta.
Source: Teddington Hockey Club, 'History' (teddingtonhockey.club/history); Twickenham Museum; SW Londoner, 'World's oldest club celebrates 150th anniversary' · recall
1871, 1886, 1969, 1995.
Source: Teddington Hockey Club, 'History' (teddingtonhockey.club/history); Twickenham Museum; SW Londoner, 'World's oldest club celebrates 150th anniversary' · recall
1993, 1994, 1995, 1996.
Source: Teddington Hockey Club, 'History' (teddingtonhockey.club/history); Twickenham Museum; SW Londoner, 'World's oldest club celebrates 150th anniversary' · recall
A goal can only count if the ball is struck from inside it.
Source: Teddington Hockey Club, 'History' (teddingtonhockey.club/history); Twickenham Museum; SW Londoner, 'World's oldest club celebrates 150th anniversary' · applied
4.43The Wagener Stadium
The Dutch cathedral of the game, named after a club president.
Test 1The Wagener StadiumTake a test
The finals came to Amstelveen, just south of Amsterdam.
Source: FIH, 'Iconic Wagener Stadium ready to welcome FIH Hockey Pro League'; Visit Amstelveen, 'Wagener Stadion'; NH Nieuws; FIH Para Hockey World Cup 2026 venue page · recall
Joop Wagener led the Amsterdam Hockey & Bandy Club, which built it.
Source: FIH, 'Iconic Wagener Stadium ready to welcome FIH Hockey Pro League'; Visit Amstelveen, 'Wagener Stadion'; NH Nieuws; FIH Para Hockey World Cup 2026 venue page · recall
The stadium honours its president, who died in 1945.
Source: FIH, 'Iconic Wagener Stadium ready to welcome FIH Hockey Pro League'; Visit Amstelveen, 'Wagener Stadion'; NH Nieuws; FIH Para Hockey World Cup 2026 venue page · recall
It was revamped before the 2019 Pro League Grand Final.
Source: FIH, 'Iconic Wagener Stadium ready to welcome FIH Hockey Pro League'; Visit Amstelveen, 'Wagener Stadion'; NH Nieuws; FIH Para Hockey World Cup 2026 venue page · recall
The home favourites became world champions for the first time.
Source: FIH, 'Iconic Wagener Stadium ready to welcome FIH Hockey Pro League'; Visit Amstelveen, 'Wagener Stadion'; NH Nieuws; FIH Para Hockey World Cup 2026 venue page · recall
The Wagener was built about ten years after those Games.
Source: FIH, 'Iconic Wagener Stadium ready to welcome FIH Hockey Pro League'; Visit Amstelveen, 'Wagener Stadion'; NH Nieuws; FIH Para Hockey World Cup 2026 venue page · recall
It was built in 1938 and opened in 1939.
Source: FIH, 'Iconic Wagener Stadium ready to welcome FIH Hockey Pro League'; Visit Amstelveen, 'Wagener Stadion'; NH Nieuws; FIH Para Hockey World Cup 2026 venue page · recall
1928, the late 1930s, 1973, 1980.
Source: FIH, 'Iconic Wagener Stadium ready to welcome FIH Hockey Pro League'; Visit Amstelveen, 'Wagener Stadion'; NH Nieuws; FIH Para Hockey World Cup 2026 venue page · recall
1973, 2019, 2022, 2026.
Source: FIH, 'Iconic Wagener Stadium ready to welcome FIH Hockey Pro League'; Visit Amstelveen, 'Wagener Stadion'; NH Nieuws; FIH Para Hockey World Cup 2026 venue page · recall
Joop Wagener's club built the ground and named it for him.
Source: FIH, 'Iconic Wagener Stadium ready to welcome FIH Hockey Pro League'; Visit Amstelveen, 'Wagener Stadion'; NH Nieuws; FIH Para Hockey World Cup 2026 venue page · applied
4.44Lahore's Giant
The largest hockey stadium in the world, and the day its pitch was ripped up.
Test 1The National Hockey Stadium, LahoreTake a test
Olympics.com ranks it number one.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Politics in the stadium, Pakistan' (hockeymuseum.org), August 2022; Olympics.com, 'World's largest field hockey stadium'; Geo News; Dawn; ProPakistani, August 2023 · recall
It shares the building with the Sports Board Punjab.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Politics in the stadium, Pakistan' (hockeymuseum.org), August 2022; Olympics.com, 'World's largest field hockey stadium'; Geo News; Dawn; ProPakistani, August 2023 · recall
Former prime minister Imran Khan held the event there.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Politics in the stadium, Pakistan' (hockeymuseum.org), August 2022; Olympics.com, 'World's largest field hockey stadium'; Geo News; Dawn; ProPakistani, August 2023 · recall
The stadium's owner, the Punjab Sports Board, said it would be replaced.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Politics in the stadium, Pakistan' (hockeymuseum.org), August 2022; Olympics.com, 'World's largest field hockey stadium'; Geo News; Dawn; ProPakistani, August 2023 · recall
The federation is a tenant, not the owner.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Politics in the stadium, Pakistan' (hockeymuseum.org), August 2022; Olympics.com, 'World's largest field hockey stadium'; Geo News; Dawn; ProPakistani, August 2023 · recall
Security fears had kept most visiting teams away from the country for years.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Politics in the stadium, Pakistan' (hockeymuseum.org), August 2022; Olympics.com, 'World's largest field hockey stadium'; Geo News; Dawn; ProPakistani, August 2023 · recall
It sits next to other big sports venues in the city.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Politics in the stadium, Pakistan' (hockeymuseum.org), August 2022; Olympics.com, 'World's largest field hockey stadium'; Geo News; Dawn; ProPakistani, August 2023 · recall
20,000, 22,355, 30,000, 45,000.
Source: The Bridge, 'Is Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium the largest in the world?', 9 January 2023; Olympics.com, 'Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium'; The Better India; Sports Digest; The Stadium Business · recall
1994, 2018, 2022, 2023.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Politics in the stadium, Pakistan' (hockeymuseum.org), August 2022; Olympics.com, 'World's largest field hockey stadium'; Geo News; Dawn; ProPakistani, August 2023 · recall
Commentators asked what it said about hockey's status in the country.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Politics in the stadium, Pakistan' (hockeymuseum.org), August 2022; Olympics.com, 'World's largest field hockey stadium'; Geo News; Dawn; ProPakistani, August 2023 · applied
4.45Rourkela's Row
A new stadium for the 2023 World Cup, and an argument about what counts as largest.
Test 1The Birsa Munda stadium, RourkelaTake a test
It was built for the 2023 men's World Cup, with Bhubaneswar as the other host.
Source: The Bridge, 'Is Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium the largest in the world?', 9 January 2023; Olympics.com, 'Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium'; The Better India; Sports Digest; The Stadium Business · recall
He led a tribal rising against British rule in the 1890s.
Source: The Bridge, 'Is Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium the largest in the world?', 9 January 2023; Olympics.com, 'Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium'; The Better India; Sports Digest; The Stadium Business · recall
Totals in the press vary: 20,011, 20,846 and even 21,800 have appeared.
Source: The Bridge, 'Is Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium the largest in the world?', 9 January 2023; Olympics.com, 'Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium'; The Better India; Sports Digest; The Stadium Business · recall
It is one of the fastest big stadium projects in India.
Source: The Bridge, 'Is Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium the largest in the world?', 9 January 2023; Olympics.com, 'Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium'; The Better India; Sports Digest; The Stadium Business · recall
The local MLA listed three bigger hockey stadiums in other countries and cities.
Source: The Bridge, 'Is Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium the largest in the world?', 9 January 2023; Olympics.com, 'Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium'; The Better India; Sports Digest; The Stadium Business · recall
Lahore, Chandigarh and Weingart hold more fans overall, but with fewer seats.
Source: The Bridge, 'Is Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium the largest in the world?', 9 January 2023; Olympics.com, 'Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium'; The Better India; Sports Digest; The Stadium Business · recall
It stands on a college campus in East Los Angeles.
Source: The Bridge, 'Is Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium the largest in the world?', 9 January 2023; Olympics.com, 'Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium'; The Better India; Sports Digest; The Stadium Business · recall
15, about 20, about 261.
Source: The Bridge, 'Is Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium the largest in the world?', 9 January 2023; Olympics.com, 'Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium'; The Better India; Sports Digest; The Stadium Business · recall
5 January, 9 January, 13 January 2023.
Source: The Bridge, 'Is Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium the largest in the world?', 9 January 2023; Olympics.com, 'Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium'; The Better India; Sports Digest; The Stadium Business · recall
Three stadiums hold more people in all, but not as many in seats.
Source: The Bridge, 'Is Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium the largest in the world?', 9 January 2023; Olympics.com, 'Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium'; The Better India; Sports Digest; The Stadium Business · applied
4.46The Kalinga Stadium
Bhubaneswar's stadium, once for athletics, became the home of Indian hockey.
Test 1The Kalinga StadiumTake a test
It is the state capital of Odisha.
Source: FIH Odisha Men's World Cup 2023 venue page; Sportskeeda, 'Kalinga Stadium'; USA Field Hockey, 'Get to know Kalinga Stadium'; The Bridge, 'New look Kalinga Stadium'; OdishaPlus · recall
It was substantially renovated before the World Cup of 2018.
Source: FIH Odisha Men's World Cup 2023 venue page; Sportskeeda, 'Kalinga Stadium'; USA Field Hockey, 'Get to know Kalinga Stadium'; The Bridge, 'New look Kalinga Stadium'; OdishaPlus · recall
It was held on 10 October with legends of the game taking part.
Source: FIH Odisha Men's World Cup 2023 venue page; Sportskeeda, 'Kalinga Stadium'; USA Field Hockey, 'Get to know Kalinga Stadium'; The Bridge, 'New look Kalinga Stadium'; OdishaPlus · recall
It was the Red Lions' first world title.
Source: FIH Odisha Men's World Cup 2023 venue page; Sportskeeda, 'Kalinga Stadium'; USA Field Hockey, 'Get to know Kalinga Stadium'; The Bridge, 'New look Kalinga Stadium'; OdishaPlus · recall
The colours had first been seen at the London Olympics.
Source: FIH Odisha Men's World Cup 2023 venue page; Sportskeeda, 'Kalinga Stadium'; USA Field Hockey, 'Get to know Kalinga Stadium'; The Bridge, 'New look Kalinga Stadium'; OdishaPlus · recall
The team won the league's title in 2017.
Source: FIH Odisha Men's World Cup 2023 venue page; Sportskeeda, 'Kalinga Stadium'; USA Field Hockey, 'Get to know Kalinga Stadium'; The Bridge, 'New look Kalinga Stadium'; OdishaPlus · recall
It remains a multi-sport complex with a hostel and a gym.
Source: FIH Odisha Men's World Cup 2023 venue page; Sportskeeda, 'Kalinga Stadium'; USA Field Hockey, 'Get to know Kalinga Stadium'; The Bridge, 'New look Kalinga Stadium'; OdishaPlus · recall
1978, 2017, 2018, 2023.
Source: FIH Odisha Men's World Cup 2023 venue page; Sportskeeda, 'Kalinga Stadium'; USA Field Hockey, 'Get to know Kalinga Stadium'; The Bridge, 'New look Kalinga Stadium'; OdishaPlus · recall
2018, 2021, 2023.
Source: FIH Odisha Men's World Cup 2023 venue page; Sportskeeda, 'Kalinga Stadium'; USA Field Hockey, 'Get to know Kalinga Stadium'; The Bridge, 'New look Kalinga Stadium'; OdishaPlus · recall
London 2012 first played the sport on blue turf.
Source: FIH Odisha Men's World Cup 2023 venue page; Sportskeeda, 'Kalinga Stadium'; USA Field Hockey, 'Get to know Kalinga Stadium'; The Bridge, 'New look Kalinga Stadium'; OdishaPlus · applied
4.47Olympic Hockey Grounds
Blue pitches, famous old stadiums and venues by the sea.
Test 1Olympic hockey groundsTake a test
It was built for the London Games of 2012.
Source: FIH, 'Hockey at the Olympic Games: a brief history'; USA Field Hockey, 'A heritage of excellence'; Harrod Sport guide to Paris 2024; NBC Olympics · recall
It had been the main stadium of the Paris Games of 1924.
Source: FIH, 'Hockey at the Olympic Games: a brief history'; USA Field Hockey, 'A heritage of excellence'; Harrod Sport guide to Paris 2024; NBC Olympics · recall
A sport left out a century earlier finally arrived at the old stadium.
Source: FIH, 'Hockey at the Olympic Games: a brief history'; USA Field Hockey, 'A heritage of excellence'; Harrod Sport guide to Paris 2024; NBC Olympics · recall
The Oi Hockey Stadium lies in a seaside park on the bay.
Source: FIH, 'Hockey at the Olympic Games: a brief history'; USA Field Hockey, 'A heritage of excellence'; Harrod Sport guide to Paris 2024; NBC Olympics · recall
It is similar to the capacities of the venues at Tokyo and Paris.
Source: FIH, 'Hockey at the Olympic Games: a brief history'; USA Field Hockey, 'A heritage of excellence'; Harrod Sport guide to Paris 2024; NBC Olympics · recall
The Olympic Hockey Centre sat in the north-west of the city.
Source: FIH, 'Hockey at the Olympic Games: a brief history'; USA Field Hockey, 'A heritage of excellence'; Harrod Sport guide to Paris 2024; NBC Olympics · recall
Television viewers can see it much more easily.
Source: FIH, 'Hockey at the Olympic Games: a brief history'; USA Field Hockey, 'A heritage of excellence'; Harrod Sport guide to Paris 2024; NBC Olympics · recall
1928, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024.
Source: FIH, 'Hockey at the Olympic Games: a brief history'; USA Field Hockey, 'A heritage of excellence'; Harrod Sport guide to Paris 2024; NBC Olympics · recall
15,000, 16,000, 40,000.
Source: FIH, 'Hockey at the Olympic Games: a brief history'; USA Field Hockey, 'A heritage of excellence'; Harrod Sport guide to Paris 2024; NBC Olympics · recall
The aim was to help viewers follow the ball on television.
Source: FIH, 'Hockey at the Olympic Games: a brief history'; USA Field Hockey, 'A heritage of excellence'; Harrod Sport guide to Paris 2024; NBC Olympics · applied
4.48Milton Keynes
England built a national hockey stadium, and lost it to a football club.
Test 1The National Hockey Stadium, Milton KeynesTake a test
That club later became MK Dons.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The National Hockey Stadium in the Milton Keynes 50th anniversary exhibition' (hockeymuseum.org); MK Dons Supporters Association, 'The two stadiums'; Design Week, 29 July 2004 · recall
Significant financial difficulties were behind it.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The National Hockey Stadium in the Milton Keynes 50th anniversary exhibition' (hockeymuseum.org); MK Dons Supporters Association, 'The two stadiums'; Design Week, 29 July 2004 · recall
Running costs were one of the things that led to giving it up.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The National Hockey Stadium in the Milton Keynes 50th anniversary exhibition' (hockeymuseum.org); MK Dons Supporters Association, 'The two stadiums'; Design Week, 29 July 2004 · recall
Women's qualifiers for the Sydney Games came there too.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The National Hockey Stadium in the Milton Keynes 50th anniversary exhibition' (hockeymuseum.org); MK Dons Supporters Association, 'The two stadiums'; Design Week, 29 July 2004 · recall
The site had been cleared by March of the next year.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The National Hockey Stadium in the Milton Keynes 50th anniversary exhibition' (hockeymuseum.org); MK Dons Supporters Association, 'The two stadiums'; Design Week, 29 July 2004 · recall
The buildings stayed in use until the ground came down.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The National Hockey Stadium in the Milton Keynes 50th anniversary exhibition' (hockeymuseum.org); MK Dons Supporters Association, 'The two stadiums'; Design Week, 29 July 2004 · recall
The Olympic pitch moved just 500 yards to its new home.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The National Hockey Stadium in the Milton Keynes 50th anniversary exhibition' (hockeymuseum.org); MK Dons Supporters Association, 'The two stadiums'; Design Week, 29 July 2004 · recall
1995, 1997, 2003, 2010.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The National Hockey Stadium in the Milton Keynes 50th anniversary exhibition' (hockeymuseum.org); MK Dons Supporters Association, 'The two stadiums'; Design Week, 29 July 2004 · recall
1995-2003, 2003-04, 2004-07.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The National Hockey Stadium in the Milton Keynes 50th anniversary exhibition' (hockeymuseum.org); MK Dons Supporters Association, 'The two stadiums'; Design Week, 29 July 2004 · recall
The National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes lost hockey to football when Wimbledon moved in during 2003, as the English association struggled financially.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The National Hockey Stadium in the Milton Keynes 50th anniversary exhibition' (hockeymuseum.org); MK Dons Supporters Association, 'The two stadiums'; Design Week, 29 July 2004 · applied
4.49The Euro Hockey League's Clubs
Who has played for the top European club prize, and how.
Test 1The Euro Hockey League's clubsTake a test
It beat HGC of the Netherlands 1-0 after extra time.
Source: NOS, 'Bloemendaal wint voor derde keer op rij Euro Hockey League'; NH Nieuws; FIH, 'EHL KO16 preview'; ehlhockey.tv; Sport1 · recall
HGC is based in Wassenaar, near The Hague.
Source: NOS, 'Bloemendaal wint voor derde keer op rij Euro Hockey League'; NH Nieuws; FIH, 'EHL KO16 preview'; ehlhockey.tv; Sport1 · recall
Clubs had played the older cup since around 1970.
Source: NOS, 'Bloemendaal wint voor derde keer op rij Euro Hockey League'; NH Nieuws; FIH, 'EHL KO16 preview'; ehlhockey.tv; Sport1 · recall
NOS called it a one-sided final.
Source: NOS, 'Bloemendaal wint voor derde keer op rij Euro Hockey League'; NH Nieuws; FIH, 'EHL KO16 preview'; ehlhockey.tv; Sport1 · recall
Its full name begins with 'Kölner Tennis- und Hockey-Club'.
Source: NOS, 'Bloemendaal wint voor derde keer op rij Euro Hockey League'; NH Nieuws; FIH, 'EHL KO16 preview'; ehlhockey.tv; Sport1 · recall
Its long record includes many German titles and European finals.
Source: NOS, 'Bloemendaal wint voor derde keer op rij Euro Hockey League'; NH Nieuws; FIH, 'EHL KO16 preview'; ehlhockey.tv; Sport1 · recall
It won a seventeenth German title after a gap of 21 years.
Source: NOS, 'Bloemendaal wint voor derde keer op rij Euro Hockey League'; NH Nieuws; FIH, 'EHL KO16 preview'; ehlhockey.tv; Sport1 · recall
2008, 2022, 2023.
Source: NOS, 'Bloemendaal wint voor derde keer op rij Euro Hockey League'; NH Nieuws; FIH, 'EHL KO16 preview'; ehlhockey.tv; Sport1 · recall
1892, 1895, 1906.
Source: NOS, 'Bloemendaal wint voor derde keer op rij Euro Hockey League'; NH Nieuws; FIH, 'EHL KO16 preview'; ehlhockey.tv; Sport1 · recall
Bloemendaal has won more Euro Hockey League titles than any other club, including a 4-0 final win over Rot-Weiss Köln.
Source: NOS, 'Bloemendaal wint voor derde keer op rij Euro Hockey League'; NH Nieuws; FIH, 'EHL KO16 preview'; ehlhockey.tv; Sport1 · applied
4.50Belgium's Beginnings
British sportsmen brought the game to Belgium in 1904, and early records are scarce.
Test 1Belgian hockey's beginningsTake a test
Two English teams played each other there for several years.
Source: La Libre Belgique, 'L'époque héroïque (1907-1954)', 2 October 2007; AH&BC club history; WPFG Rotterdam 2022, on Victoria · recall
It was three years before the federation was formed.
Source: La Libre Belgique, 'L'époque héroïque (1907-1954)', 2 October 2007; AH&BC club history; WPFG Rotterdam 2022, on Victoria · recall
Beerschot very probably fielded the first Belgian team.
Source: La Libre Belgique, 'L'époque héroïque (1907-1954)', 2 October 2007; AH&BC club history; WPFG Rotterdam 2022, on Victoria · recall
It was probably on 14 June, but no documents survive from before 1914.
Source: La Libre Belgique, 'L'époque héroïque (1907-1954)', 2 October 2007; AH&BC club history; WPFG Rotterdam 2022, on Victoria · recall
English custom had been to play friendlies only.
Source: La Libre Belgique, 'L'époque héroïque (1907-1954)', 2 October 2007; AH&BC club history; WPFG Rotterdam 2022, on Victoria · recall
La Gantoise and Léopold came next, in the following two seasons.
Source: La Libre Belgique, 'L'époque héroïque (1907-1954)', 2 October 2007; AH&BC club history; WPFG Rotterdam 2022, on Victoria · recall
Belgium had beaten France in the two previous seasons.
Source: La Libre Belgique, 'L'époque héroïque (1907-1954)', 2 October 2007; AH&BC club history; WPFG Rotterdam 2022, on Victoria · recall
1920, 1935, 1950.
Source: La Libre Belgique, 'L'époque héroïque (1907-1954)', 2 October 2007; AH&BC club history; WPFG Rotterdam 2022, on Victoria · recall
1904, 1907, 1910, 1920.
Source: La Libre Belgique, 'L'époque héroïque (1907-1954)', 2 October 2007; AH&BC club history; WPFG Rotterdam 2022, on Victoria · recall
The club is based in Antwerp, and Léopold in Brussels soon followed it.
Source: La Libre Belgique, 'L'époque héroïque (1907-1954)', 2 October 2007; AH&BC club history; WPFG Rotterdam 2022, on Victoria · applied
Questions people ask
- Which is the oldest hockey club in England?
- Two London clubs both claim to be first, and it depends what you count. Teddington's cricket club, in Bushy Park, needed something to do in the winter months.
- Who was the Wagener Stadium named after?
- Joop Wagener, who led the Amsterdam Hockey & Bandy Club. The club built the ground and named it for its president, who died in 1945. It stands in Amstelveen, just south of Amsterdam.
- Why was Lahore's hockey stadium in the news?
- It is described as the largest hockey stadium in the world, and its pitch was ripped up. The Punjab Sports Board, the owner, said it would be replaced. The federation is a tenant, not the owner.
- Why is it hard to say how big the Rourkela stadium is?
- Press totals vary, and 20,011, 20,846 and even 21,800 have appeared. Three stadiums hold more people in all, in Lahore, Chandigarh and Weingart, but not as many in seats.
- What is the Kalinga Stadium?
- Bhubaneswar's stadium, in the state capital of Odisha. It was substantially renovated before the 2018 World Cup and remains a multi-sport complex with a hostel and a gym.
- Why did hockey turf turn blue?
- London 2012 first played the sport on blue turf. The aim was to help viewers follow the ball on television.
- What happened to England's national hockey stadium in Milton Keynes?
- England built it and lost it to a football club that later became MK Dons. Significant financial difficulties and running costs were behind giving it up, and the Olympic pitch moved just 500 yards to its new home.
- Who brought hockey to Belgium?
- British sportsmen, in 1904. Early records are scarce, and Beerschot very probably fielded the first Belgian team.
Sources
Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: the FIH and its continental federations, national associations, The Hockey Museum, the Olympic Channel and Olympedia, Guinness World Records, clubs' and makers' own histories, museums and named reputable media.
- Teddington Hockey Club, 'History' (teddingtonhockey.club/history); Twickenham Museum; SW Londoner, 'World's oldest club celebrates 150th anniversary'11
- The Bridge, 'Is Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium the largest in the world?', 9 January 2023; Olympics.com, 'Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium'; The Better India; Sports Digest; The Stadium Business11
- FIH, 'Iconic Wagener Stadium ready to welcome FIH Hockey Pro League'; Visit Amstelveen, 'Wagener Stadion'; NH Nieuws; FIH Para Hockey World Cup 2026 venue page10
- FIH Odisha Men's World Cup 2023 venue page; Sportskeeda, 'Kalinga Stadium'; USA Field Hockey, 'Get to know Kalinga Stadium'; The Bridge, 'New look Kalinga Stadium'; OdishaPlus10
- FIH, 'Hockey at the Olympic Games: a brief history'; USA Field Hockey, 'A heritage of excellence'; Harrod Sport guide to Paris 2024; NBC Olympics10
- The Hockey Museum, 'The National Hockey Stadium in the Milton Keynes 50th anniversary exhibition' (hockeymuseum.org); MK Dons Supporters Association, 'The two stadiums'; Design Week, 29 July 200410
- NOS, 'Bloemendaal wint voor derde keer op rij Euro Hockey League'; NH Nieuws; FIH, 'EHL KO16 preview'; ehlhockey.tv; Sport110
- La Libre Belgique, 'L'époque héroïque (1907-1954)', 2 October 2007; AH&BC club history; WPFG Rotterdam 2022, on Victoria10
- Blackheath Hockey Club history (blackheath.co.uk); Teddington Hockey Club, 'History'; Surbiton Hockey Club, 'Our club'; The Hockey Museum on Surbiton's archive; SW Londoner on Teddington's 150th9
- The Hockey Museum, 'Politics in the stadium, Pakistan' (hockeymuseum.org), August 2022; Olympics.com, 'World's largest field hockey stadium'; Geo News; Dawn; ProPakistani, August 20239