Hockey in the United States: Gearing Up for LA28

Content courtesy of FIH

Hockey, known as field hockey in the United States, is experiencing a growth in popularity that is set to bring new excitement to the sport, which is timed perfectly as the world turns its eyes toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. While the likes of baseball, basketball and American football have massive popularity in the region, a series of developments over the past few years signal a promising future for hockey in the country, positioning the sport for its best-ever showing on home soil at LA 2028.

Hockey in the United States has historically been viewed as a niche sport, with a particularly strong presence for women at the collegiate level. In fact, field hockey was the first women’s NCAA championship sport in 1981, and the sport boasts a passionate following within schools across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and parts of the Midwest, in Colorado and California. More recently, the development of grassroots programs, through USA Field Hockey, has expanded its reach into new regions.

Youth programs have been critical to this expansion, helping to raise awareness and visibility of the sport and grow the talent pool. USA Field Hockey’s Dare to Differ campaign was launched to promote field hockey as a sport for all, a sport for life. USA Field Hockey’s American Development Model (ADM) was launched to provide a foundation for growth and includes multiple programs and modified equipment aimed at introducing the sport to young children. Programs include Discover Field Hockey, Starter Packages and the USA Field Hockey Bessant Grow the Game Grant program, providing $50,000 in grants annually to support sustainable growth. These, combined with the development and expansion of State Chapters and online introductory coach and umpire education, are starting to show notable success in making hockey more accessible. With increasing participation at the youth level, the pathway from beginner to elite athlete is more clear than ever before. This is crucial, as building a competitive national team starts with strong foundations at the grassroots level.

At the high school level, hockey is becoming increasingly popular, with programs expanding in states like Michigan, North and South Carolina, and Texas - regions that have historically lacked or had limited presence. The Michigan High School Athletic Association recently voted to sanction field hockey as a high school sport starting in the 2025-26 school year. The growth of high school teams and competitive leagues has contributed to a larger pool of talented players who go on to play at the collegiate level.

The NCAA remains a key pillar in the development of hockey talent. The presence of more than 285 varsity programs across Division I, II, and III schools ensures a robust competitive landscape. Top-tier collegiate programs, such as the University of North Carolina, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, University of Virginia, Harvard University and more continue to produce world-class athletes, many of whom go on to represent the USA at international tournaments. USA Field Hockey and the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) partnered to focus on expanding the NCAA college hockey footprint as part of the Field Hockey Forward initiative. Several new colleges are adding programs including D’Youville University and Penn State-Harrisburg competing in their inaugural seasons in 2024, and four new programs slated to start in 2025 with Alfred University, Barton College, Dominican University, and University of Hartford. Other institutions are in discussion to add in 2026 and beyond.

Additionally, the recent push to elevate boys’ and men’s hockey is gathering momentum. Although men’s hockey is still vastly underrepresented compared to the women’s game, initiatives by USA Field Hockey to foster participation among boys and young men are starting to bear fruit. 2024 marked the first year that boys competed in the American Athletic Union (AAU) Junior Olympic Games, competing in the Hockey5s format. Growth of hockey among boys and men could be pivotal for the future of the sport, especially as the nation prepares to compete on a global stage.

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The U.S. Women’s National Team has historically been the nation’s most successful squad, with a respectable international presence. The team narrowly missed out on a semifinal spot at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and missed out on qualification to the Tokyo Games, but a return to form under new coach David Passmore over the past couple of years has seen the team take on an upward trajectory with some great performances in the FIH Hockey Pro League, as well as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. With a renewed focus on player development, coaching, and international competition, the women’s team is aiming to peak at just the right time for LA 2028.

On the men’s side, progress has been more gradual. Men’s hockey has not been as prominent, but the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games present a unique opportunity. With a home advantage on the horizon, USA Field Hockey is investing heavily in developing a competitive men’s team capable of holding its own against international powerhouses. This includes more international exposure, stronger youth development initiatives, and strategic partnerships with hockey-playing nations to help raise the level of competition.

Hosting the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games is more than just an opportunity to showcase the best of hockey talent in the United States - it is also a chance to leave a lasting legacy. For USA Field Hockey, LA28 represents a watershed moment to engage new fans, promote the sport on a national scale, and inspire the next generation of athletes.

Investments in infrastructure, including the recent construction of a world-class training facility in Charlotte, N.C., are already underway. Facilities will not only serve as training grounds for the national teams but also as hubs for growing the sport at the local level. The visibility and accessibility of hockey during the Olympic Games will play a pivotal role in inspiring young athletes to pick up the stick and pursue the sport.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) and USA Field Hockey are working closely together to ensure that LA28 will provide a platform to elevate hockey’s profile in the United States. The Olympic Games are seen as a golden opportunity to expand the sport in untapped regions of the country, and hockey’s inclusion as one of the marquee events at LA28 could spark a lasting transformation.

With just four years to go until the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, hockey in the United States is at a critical juncture. The efforts being made today - to expand the sport at the grassroots level, foster competitive high school and collegiate programs, and build world-class national teams - are laying the foundation for the sport’s future in America.

The road to LA28 is filled with both challenges and opportunities, but the growing momentum behind hockey in the United States is undeniable. Whether it’s the increasing popularity of the sport among youth athletes, the strengthening of national teams, or the exciting prospect of a home Olympic Games, one thing is certain: hockey is on the rise, and LA28 could be the moment that propels the sport to new heights in the land of the free.