India houses some of the biggest stadiums in the world that come in various capacities. These arenas host various sporting events such as cricket, football, and athletics, making each a jaw-dropping experience. If it is the historical Wankhede Stadium of Mumbai or the Eden Gardens at Kolkata, let’s have an enthralling journey of some of the Biggest Stadiums of India. Get your sporty sides on!
Biggest Stadiums in India you must know about
1. Narendra Modi Stadium
Also known as Motera Stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium is located in the heart of Gujarat, Ahmedabad. It is built with a seating capacity of 1,32,000 spectators and is ranked as the Biggest Stadium in India. It was made accessible to the public in 2020 during the Namaste Trump event when the then-president of the United States Donald Trump came to India. The stadium had its first test match between India and England on 24 February 2021. Recently, NMS also hosted the final match of ICC World Cup 2023 on the 19th of November. Honoring the current prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi, the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) renamed the stadium on 24th February 2021 after him, who served as the president of the association from 2009 to 2014, where President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the stadium.
2. Eden Gardens
Offering a phenomenal view to a whopping 68,000 cricket enthusiasts, Eden Gardens hails as the second-largest stadium in India and the third-largest in the world. It was established in 1864 and is located in Kolkata, West Bengal. The stadium is owned by the Cricket Association of Benga l and even has its headquarters within the stadium premises. The arena is the home ground to IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders and is also sometimes referred to as the “Mecca of Indian Cricket.” Hosting several domestic and international cricket matches such as the World Cup final, Asia Cup, IPL, and World Twenty20, Eden Gardens became the second stadium to host the World Cup final in 1987. The iconic stadium broke records when it witnessed a crowd of 110,564 people during the India vs Sri Lanka Cricket World Cup Semi-final in 1996.
3. Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium
When talking about the stadiums in India, Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium holds the third position. It is also known as the Nava Raipur International Stadium located in Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The stadium was ranked as the 50th international cricket venue in 2023, also making it to the list of fourth-largest cricket stadiums in the world. It was inaugurated in 2008 with a capacity of 65,000 spectators and held its first match in 2010 when Canada’s national cricket team came to play a practice match against Chhattisgarh’s state team. The stadium was announced as the second home ground to the IPL team Delhi Daredevils in 2013 and has since then hosted many of its matches. Many esteemed Indian cricketers such as Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan have applauded the stadium for its state-of-the-art facilities, praising it as an opportunity for new cricketers to emerge.
4. Wankhede Stadium
No discussion is complete without Wankhede Stadium and its magnificence. It is an international cricket stadium managed by Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). Wankhede is located near Churchgate in Mumbai and is home to the IPL’s famous Mumbai Indians and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Having a present seating capacity of 33,108 spectators and has held some of the most high-profile matches the world has ever witnessed. The much revered 2011 Cricket World Cup Finale took place on Wankhede’s ground and also witnessed legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s last match of his international career. The stadium is surrounded by some very old cricket clubs, namely the Hindu Gymkhana, Parsi Gymkhana, and Cricket Club of India (CCI).
5. Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, or Uppal Stadium is situated in Hyderabad, Telangana. It comes with a seating capacity of 39,200 spectators and is built over 15 acres of land, which was established in 2003. The stadium is operated by the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) and is the home ground to the Hyderabad cricket team and women’s cricket team, while also serving as the abode to IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad. As of the latest records, the stadium has hosted some 6 Tests, 10 ODIs, and 3 T20Is. In October 2023, Uppal had its first-ever ICC event during the 2023 World Cup.
6. Ambedkar Stadium
Moving ahead in the list of Biggest Stadiums, Ambedkar Stadium is a football stadium which is based in the National Capital, New Delhi. It is named after Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Father of the Indian Constitution. Earlier referred to as Corporation Stadium, it is operated by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Having a listed capacity of 35,000, Ambedkar Stadium has now hosted events such as the Delhi Football League, Subroto Cup, and Durand Cup. In addition to this, the stadium has also hosted international tournaments like the 2007 and 2009 Nehru Cup.
7. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is situated in New Delhi and is a multi-sports stadium, supporting a variety of sports such as football and athletics. It has a capacity of 60,254 people, which makes it the fourth-largest stadium in India and the 27th-largest stadium in Asia. Before hosting the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the stadium also anchored the 1982 Asian Games and 1989 Asian Championships in Athletics. It was renovated and modernized for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, which cost around Rs. 961 crores making it the most extravagant stadium in India and South Asia. The stadium also houses the headquarters of the Sports Authority of India.
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Conclusion
From the marvelous Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, we have curated a list of some of the biggest stadiums in India. These sporting arenas, beyond their sports dimensions, come out as the epitome of India’s cultural diversity. In addition to organizing sports, these stadiums also host a variety of other events such as concerts and entertainment. To showcase India’s sporting skills, the stadiums stand as a testament to the vast talent pool the country possesses and the level of excitement they entail.