History of Hockey in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 5, 2025

Hockey encompasses various team sports played in summer and winter, on fields, ice, or dry floors. Although specific rules, player numbers, equipment, and playing surfaces differ, these sports share the common element of two opposing teams using sticks to move a ball or disk into a goal. These variations are all considered types of hockey, differentiated by their playing surface and specific regulations.

1900: Bandy spreads to other European countries

Around 1900, Bandy spread from England to other European countries. Bandy has its roots in England in the 19th century, was originally called "hockey on the ice".

1908: Men's field hockey at the Summer Olympic Games

Since 1908, men's field hockey has been played at every Summer Olympic Games, with exceptions in 1912 and 1924.

1912: Men's field hockey not played at the Summer Olympics

Men's field hockey was not played at the Summer Olympics in 1912. It has been played at every Summer Olympic Games since 1908, except for 1912 and 1924.

1920: Men's ice hockey at the Summer Olympics

Men's ice hockey was played at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

1924: Men's field hockey not played at the Summer Olympics

Men's field hockey was not played at the Summer Olympics in 1924. It has been played at every Summer Olympic Games since 1908, except for 1912 and 1924.

1924: Men's ice hockey at the Winter Olympics

Since 1924, men's ice hockey has been played at the Winter Olympics.

1936: Rules codified for floor hockey

In 1936, Canada's Sam Jacks codified the rules for a style of floor hockey during the Great Depression, which involved a straight stick and an open disk.

1957: First Bandy World Championships

Since 1957, Bandy World Championships have been played.

1963: Ringette Invented

In 1963, the Canadian ice skating team sport of ringette was invented in Canada. Later on, ringette became the model for the floor game of gym ringette in the 1990s.

1980: Women's field hockey at the Summer Olympic Games

Since 1980, women's field hockey has been played at the Summer Olympic Games.

1992: Roller hockey at the Barcelona Summer Olympics

Roller hockey was a demonstration sport at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics.

1998: Women's ice hockey at the Winter Olympics

In 1998, women's ice hockey was added to the Winter Olympics.

2004: First Women's Bandy World Championships

Since 2004, Women's Bandy World Championships have been played.

December 19, 2009: First Game of Organized Inline Sledge Hockey

On December 19, 2009, the first game of organized inline sledge hockey was played in Bisley, Surrey, England, between the Hull Stingrays and the Grimsby Redwings.

August 2012: India has no national sport

In August 2012, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports declared that India has no national sport. Field hockey was the national sport of India until then.