England: England Hockey Publishes Rule Guidance For 2026/27 Season

England Hockey has released its updated rule guidance for the 2026/27 season, with several important changes that will affect everyone involved in the game which will come into effect from 1 September 2026.

The changes follow the latest revisions to the FIH Rules of Hockey and apply to both adult and junior competitions.

Key updates include clearer sanctions for having too many players on the pitch, the permanent adoption of the aerial ball rule trial across all competitions, revised guidance on the disposal of penalty corner protective equipment, and clarifications for both goalkeepers and umpires.

The maximum permitted size of a goalkeeper’s left-hand protector has also been increased to 365mm, allowing manufacturers to produce larger CE-compliant gloves that remain legal under FIH regulations.

Leagues, clubs and organisers may choose to adopt the new rules earlier during pre-season or summer competitions, which can help everyone get familiar with the changes ahead of the new campaign.

Everyone is reminded to check the specific regulations of their competition, particularly around match timings, where competition-specific rules continue to apply.

England Hockey will be running a series of webinars and roadshows in the run-up to the new season to walk everyone through the changes and answer any questions. These will be bookable via Hockey Hub, with more details to follow soon.

Read the full breakdown of the new rules