Argentina Hockey: Las Leonas, Los Leones and a Passion Like No Other
In Argentina, hockey isn’t a side story. It never has been.
Las Leonas and Los Leones carry a passion few hockey nations can match, and right now the teams are giving the fans plenty to shout about.
The Lionesses run the show
Start with the women. Argentina are the reigning World Cup champions, after winning the title at the 2026 World Cup, and they sit second in the FIH world rankings on 3,757 points. Only the Netherlands are above them.
The men aren’t far behind. Los Leones are fourth in the world on 3,512 points. Two teams, both inside the global top four. Not many countries can say that.
Where the fire comes from
It’s fed at home by the Torneo Metropolitano, the Buenos Aires metropolitan championship run by the Buenos Aires Hockey Association, the country’s strongest club competition. Argentina’s season runs on the southern-hemisphere calendar, roughly March to November, and the 2026 edition is in its late season now, heading towards the play-offs later in the year.
The next wave is coming through the same door, too. Both Argentine junior teams, men and women, have qualified for the 2027 Junior World Cups.
The whole season starts at home
The next big date is a home one. Argentina host the opening block of the FIH Pro League 2026–27 from 8–13 December 2026: the women face China, and the men take on Great Britain and France to launch the whole season.
The world champions, at home, in front of their own crowd. Hard to think of a better stage, frankly. SportsCursor’s Countries section will track Argentina all the way through it, because the World Cup holders set the standard everyone else is chasing.
Facts box — Argentina:
- FIH World Ranking (women): 2nd — 3,757 points (FIH update, 31 Aug 2026); reigning women’s World Cup champions (2026)
- FIH World Ranking (men): 4th — 3,512 points
- Home league: Torneo Metropolitano (Buenos Aires) — men and women; 2026 season in progress, in its late season (Mar–Nov)
- Juniors: Argentina men and women both qualified for the 2027 Junior World Cups
- Next major event: FIH Pro League 2026–27 opening block, at home in Argentina, 8–13 Dec 2026
