The top four teams in the league phase advanced to the semi-finals followed by the final which was played in Mahindra Hockey Stadium, Mumbai.

[27] Tyre manufacturers Bridgestone became the title sponsors of World Series Hockey for the inaugural season.

[29] Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty is appointed as the brand ambassador for the World Series Hockey.

The highest-scoring matches to date in the World Series Hockey occurred twice: Pune Strykers beat Mumbai Marines and Delhi defeated Punjab.

The technical committee for World Series Hockey included Dennis Meredith, former Indian coach Joaquim Carvolho, former captain and one of the best goalkeepers of India Ashish Ballal, former chairman of the International Hockey Federation umpiring committee Peter Von Reth, M.P.

[31][32] 1996 Atlanta Olympics Indian goalkeeper Alloysius Edwards was chosen as one of the managers of the World Series Hockey,[33] whereas sports medicine expert P. S. M. Chandran, involved with multiple sports at the international level for more than three decades, was elected as chief medical officer.

[36] Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has said that any player who participates in the WSH will be banned from domestic competitions.

Apart from Rehan, Zeeshan Ashraf, Mudassar Ali, Tariq Aziz, Adnan Maqsood, Waseem Ahmad, Syed Imran Warsi and Shakeel Abbasi were signed to play in WSH.

[37] FIH president Leandro Negre served a direct warning to players looking to participate in the WSH that they will be suspended from international matches.

[38] Former Indian coach Harendra Singh criticized the FIH and Hockey India over interfering in a domestic tournament and stopping players from participating in the WSH.

[39][40] On 30 November, six top Indian players pulled out of the league in favor of the national camp for the Olympic qualifiers.

[41] On 1 December, six more Indian players pulled out of the World Series Hockey, citing national camp that would coincide with the league start.

[44] The organisers postponed the event with condition of written guarantee from HI and an assurance that they will allow all the players to participate in the tournament after the qualifiers.

[45] The tournament got clearance from Delhi High Court on 13 February, adding that the schedule did not clash with international commitments of the national team.