The Pavilion at Stormont Estate in Belfast will host Ireland’s Hockey World League round two event in 2017 ©NICSSA

The Pavilion at Stormont Estate in Belfast will host Ireland’s Hockey World League round two event next year, the sport’s worldwide governing body has announced.

The men’s competition, due to take place from March 11 to 19, will feature France, Poland, Ukraine, Italy, Wales, Scotland, Austria and the host nation, who competed at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro for the first time since London 1908. 

Qualification for the Hockey World League semi-finals, held later in 2017, will be on offer at the tournament in Belfast.

Ireland is no stranger to hosting the Hockey World League after they held another round two event back in March 2015 in Dublin, where their women’s side emerged victorious.

The venue is located on the same site as Northern Ireland's Parliament buildings.

The confirmation from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) completes the line-up of the six round two competitions - three for men and three for women - set to be staged in 2017.

Men's round two competition is scheduled to begin in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka between March 4 and 12, where the hosts will be joined by Canada, Oman, Egypt, China, Sri Lanka, Ghana and Fiji.

Ireland will then play host to the next competition later that month before an event in Tunapuna in Trinidad and Tobago between March 25 and April 2 rounds off the men’s action.

Ireland competed at Rio 2016 - their first Olympic appearance since 1908 ©Getty Images
Ireland competed at Rio 2016 - their first Olympic appearance since 1908 ©Getty Images

Malaysia, Japan, Russia, United States, Barbados, Chile and Switzerland will compete alongside Trinidad and Tobago.

Women's competition is due to begin in Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur between January 14 and 22, with Ireland, Italy, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Fiji and Wales the guests.

Spain will then host Scotland, Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Ghana, and one more team to be confirmed, in Valencia between February 4 and 12.

Action for the women will be concluded in West Vancouver in Canada between April 1 and 9, with India, Belarus, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Chile and France also participating.

The Hockey World League semi-finals in 2017 will see countries attempt to secure a spot in the final.

They will also be hoping to seal a 2018 World Cup berth, with 10 places up for grabs.

The women's World Cup will be held in London, with Bhubaneswar in India hosting the men's event.