Field hockey in Poland – clubs, leagues and 100 years of PZHT
Field hockey brings to mind the Netherlands, Germany or India – but in Poland the sport has a tradition of more than a century, its own leagues, strong hubs and a loyal community. If you are just discovering the game, here is a short guide to field hockey in Poland.
A hundred years of PZHT, more than a hundred years of hockey
The Polish Field Hockey Federation (PZHT) was founded on 31 October 1926 – so 2026 marks 100 years since the federation was established. The history of hockey on Polish soil is older still: the first documented match was played in 1907. Over that century the sport has seen better and worse times, but it has not disappeared from the pitches: successive generations of players and coaches pass it on in families and clubs, often from grandfather to grandson.
Where is the sport's heartland?
Wielkopolska is one of the main historical hubs of Polish hockey – for decades Poznań and the surrounding towns have produced many league players and internationals. Strong clubs also operate in Silesia and Pomerania, among other regions, and the hockey map is completed by smaller but very devoted centres – such as Rogowo, which every year hosts the Klemens Maciaszczyk Memorial, one of the oldest tournaments in the country. We were there with our stand at this year's 59th edition and saw how a local tournament can draw whole hockey families.
What does the competition look like?
The artificial-turf season runs from spring to autumn – league weekends follow the rhythm of spring and autumn rounds, separately for men and women and across numerous youth categories. In winter the competition moves indoors: indoor hockey (6-a-side, on a smaller pitch with boards) is a real Polish speciality – in January 2026 the men's national team finished as runners-up at the Indoor European Championship. We covered the differences between turf and indoor hockey in our post outdoor or indoor.
How to start playing?
The simplest way: find your nearest club and come to a tryout session. Club academies take children from early school age, and the starter kit is modest – a stick, shin guards, a mouthguard and comfortable shoes. We can help you decide how to choose your first stick, and in the Hockey Sticks and Player Protection categories you will find a stick and shin guards to get started.
Play for a club and need equipment for the whole team? Email us at [email protected] – we will prepare a club offer.
