For the second Youth Olympics in a row, the format for this event was Hockey 5s, a 5-a-side tournament that is played on a smaller field size.

The results of the random draw (and priority) for the boys' tournament was Oceania > Asia > Europe > Africa and Pan American while the results for the girls' tournament was Africa > Asia > Europe > Oceania > Pan America.

[1][2] To be eligible to participate at the Youth Olympics athletes must have been born between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2003.

Also nations (excluding Argentina) may only qualify in one team sport (Beach Handball, Futsal, Hockey5s or Rugby Sevens) per gender.

[2] The schedule was released by the FIH and Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee.