The 1928 Olympic field hockey tournament marked India's first Olympic gold medal in the sport, launching a dominant era in international field hockey.
Key Facts
- Tournament dates
- May 17–26, 1928
- Competing nations
- 9 (Czechoslovakia withdrew before draw)
- Players per team
- 22 players
- Competition type
- Men's only
- Venues
- Olympisch Stadion and Old Stadion, Amsterdam
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Field hockey had been part of the Olympic programme since 1908, and the 1928 Amsterdam Games continued this tradition. The Fédération Internationale de Hockey governed eligibility under strict amateur rules, requiring that players receive no financial benefit beyond necessary travel and accommodation expenses.
Nine nations competed in the men's field hockey tournament held between May 17 and May 26, 1928, with all matches played at the Olympisch Stadion or the nearby Old Stadion in Amsterdam. Czechoslovakia had withdrawn prior to the draw, leaving a single-entry-per-country competition under FIH amateur regulations.
India won the gold medal, beginning an unbroken streak of Olympic field hockey titles that would extend across multiple Games. The tournament helped establish field hockey as a prominent Olympic team sport and raised the global profile of the FIH as its international governing body.
Result
at Olympisch Stadion / Old Stadion, Amsterdam