The 2025 Hockey Pan American Cup is set to begin on July 24, with Uruguay hosting the biennial tournament for the first time. Both the men’s and women’s competitions will be held in parallel at Montevideo’s Cancha Celeste stadium, with matches running until August 3.

Eight teams will compete in each tournament, as the continent’s top national sides vie not only for the Pan American title but also qualification for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, to be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.

Organized by the Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF), the Pan American Cup has served as a direct World Cup qualifier since 2000 for men and 2001 for women.

Teams are divided into two pools of four, playing each other once in a round-robin format. The top two sides from each pool advance to the semi-finals, while the remaining teams enter a classification round to determine rankings from fifth to eighth.

With World Cup places at stake, the tournament is viewed as a critical benchmark for national hockey programmes across the Americas. Several nations have increased investment in youth development and international exposure in recent years, hoping to close the gap with regional powerhouses.

Argentina looking to extend dominance

Argentina enter both tournaments as strong contenders. The women’s side, Las Leonas, have won all six previous editions of the Pan American Cup since its inception in 2001.

Under head coach Fernando Ferrara, the team blends experienced figures with emerging talent. In June, Las Leonas finished second in the FIH Pro League, eight points behind world champions the Netherlands. That result followed their bronze medal heroics at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Las Leonas are placed in Pool A alongside Canada, Paraguay, and hosts Uruguay. Pool B features Chile, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States.

Argentina’s men’s team, Los Leones, are similarly expected to contend for the title. They have lifted the trophy four times since 2000 and won the most recent edition in 2022. Led by captain Matías Rey and supported by younger talents such as Ignacio Ibarra, the side recently completed a European tour aimed at fine-tuning tactics and maintaining match sharpness.

They will compete in Pool B with Chile, Mexico, and the United States. Pool A for the men’s tournament includes Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Brazil.

Host nation preparations

Uruguay, while not considered among the title favourites, has undertaken significant preparations for the event. Cancha Celeste stadium has been upgraded, including improvements to pitch quality and spectator facilities. Organizers anticipate a strong turnout from local fans and travelling supporters, with the tournament expected to offer a boost to domestic interest in field hockey.

With participation from across North, Central, and South America, the Pan American Cup is regarded as a vital event on the international hockey calendar. It not only provides a route to the World Cup, but also offers crucial experience for players aiming to compete at the sport’s highest levels.

As the opening day approaches, anticipation is building in Montevideo and beyond. The 2025 Pan American Cup is set to deliver high-level competition, and an opportunity for new stars to emerge on the international stage.

Additional reporting by Fernando Romero Nuñez