India is a passionate country which has many iconic sports venues.
From the Cricket World Cup wins to the Commonwealth Games, the stadiums hold a rich history and are homes to some of people’s most treasured memories.
These stadiums tell a story of triumph, heartbreak and determination and are epicentres of India’s rich sporting heritage.
Not only are they famous for their sporting moments but also for their architecture, location, and facilities.
Whether you are a sports enthusiast or a curious tourist, these stadiums provide something for everyone.
Join Tezzbuzz as we look at 10 iconic sports venues in India.
Wankhede Stadium – Mumbai
This stadium is the home of the Mumbai Indians, one of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
It has a capacity of 33,000 people and is one of India’s most prestigious venues.
Wankhede Stadium also housed arguably the most iconic cricket player of all time, Sachin Tendulkar, who played many memorable matches here during his distinguished career.
The pitch is known to be batting-friendly, with it often having high-scoring matches.
Wankhede Stadium also played a pivotal role in Indian cricket history when India won the 2011 ICC World Cup against Sri Lanka.
The Arabian Sea, visible from the stands of the semi-circular venue, is Wankhede Stadium’s stunning backdrop, providing great views whilst enjoying a game of cricket.
Eden Gardens – Kolkata
Built in 1864, this stadium is the oldest in India.
It is named after the Eden sisters of Lord Auckland, the then-Governor-General of India.
The stadium has a capacity of 68,000 and is one of the largest cricket stadiums in the world.
It is surrounded by a beautiful garden, which provides a scenic view as you walk around the stadium.
Eden Gardens is the Kolkata Knight Riders’ home stadium and has hosted many electrifying games with their passionate fans in the stands.
The iconic venue has hosted many memorable matches in the domestic and international spheres.
Those of note are the World Cup finals and the tied Test matches, which are rare circumstances in cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar also had a record-breaking 50th Test century at this stadium and has witnessed many outstanding individual performances.
Eden Gardens hosted the 1987 Cricket World Cup Final, where Australia won their first-ever trophy.
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) – Dharamshala
Located in Himachal Pradesh, this stadium is one of the most picturesque sports venues in India. It was established in 2003 and has a capacity of 21,200 people.
It is situated in the Dhalaudhar Hills, a snow-capped mountain range in the Himalayas.
This stadium is 1,457 metres above sea level, making it the highest international cricket ground.
Dharamshala is internationally known as the home of the Dalai Lama of Tibet and the “gateway to the Himalayas”.
The cricket ground, with its colourful stands and stadium, has elements of the Buddhist tradition, with the same architecture as a Tibetan temple.
Its beautiful location and high-standard facilities have made it a famous tourist attraction.
Guided tours are provided to explore the stadium and learn about the state’s rich cricketing history.
The iconic stadium is home to the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Team and hosts domestic and international matches.
HPCA also has a museum that showcases several mementoes about the history of cricket in Himachal Pradesh and highlights some of the state’s most distinguished cricketers.
Narendra Modi Stadium – Ahmedabad
Previously named Motera Stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium is the largest cricket stadium in the world, spanning 63 acres.
It underwent a £74 million makeover, boosting its capacity to an astonishing 135,000 and overtaking Melbourne Cricket Ground to become the largest in the world.
This iconic sports venue is built to host high-profile guests. It has 76 corporate boxes, each holding 25 people.
Each stadium stand has a food court, and the public and team members can use the clubhouse with gym facilities.
The stadium is home to the Gujarat Titans.
It also hosts hockey, football, and basketball events. It is home to a world-renowned cricket academy with several indoor pitches.
Salt Lake Stadium – Kolkata
Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium is the second largest stadium in India, with a capacity of 85,000. It was initially built in 1984 and renovated in 2011.
This multipurpose arena hosts sports and music events.
It also hosted the 2011 AFC Asian Cup opening ceremony, making it a prominent landmark in Kolkata.
Salt Lake Stadium also hosted FIFA World Cup qualifier games and has become the preferred stadium for major sporting events in India, including athletic events for the IAAF World Cup.
This versatile arena is home to two football teams in Kolkata – Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.
It is also an alternate home ground for the Kolkata Knight Riders during the IPL.
The arena has a bowl-shaped design so spectators can enjoy a fantastic view from all seats.
This famous sports venue is a hub for all types of entertainment and has become a tourist attraction for those visiting Kolkata.
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium – Delhi
Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium, named after India’s first Prime Minister, is a multipurpose arena with a capacity of over 60,000 and is seen as a world-class venue.
It hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010, has played a significant role in India’s Olympic journey and has been used to host competitions to boost Olympic sports in India.
This iconic stadium is renowned for its architecture, with a roof structure that resembles a flying saucer and a unique bowl shape.
This design allows an excellent view for all spectators and improves the venue’s acoustics, making it perfect for concerts.
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is also a model for sustainable sports stadiums. It has installed rainwater harvesting systems and solar panels to generate energy for the stadium.
M Chinnaswamy Stadium – Bangalore
M Chinnaswamy Stadium is home to the Royal Challengers Bangalore and is operated by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).
This arena was built in 1969 and has a capacity of 35,000. It was named after the former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The stadium is known for being one of the greenest stadiums in the world.
It is India’s first cricket stadium to have solar panels on the rooftop, which generate enough power to meet a significant portion of their energy needs.
This has been a host venue for many Cricket World Cup matches, including an electrifying quarter-final match between India and Pakistan.
MA Chidambaram Stadium – Chennai
Established in 1916, MA Chidambaram Stadium is the second-oldest cricket stadium in India.
The Chennai Super Kings predominantly play its home games at the stadium.
It hosted the first test match played in India in 1934 against England and has since been a massive part of India’s cricketing history.
It is renowned for its atmosphere, often called the “Chepauk Roar” due to the crowd’s enthusiasm and passion.
Although it is officially named MA Chidambaram Stadium, it is more commonly known as Chepauk because that is the name of the area where the stadium was built.
It holds over 50,000 spectators and is one of India’s largest cricket stadiums. Chepauk has won ‘Venue of the Year’ many times, highlighting its stellar facilities.
Arun Jaitley Stadium – Delhi
It was established in 1883 as the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, and named after the nearby Kotla fort.
This stadium has a capacity of 55,000 and has witnessed some iconic matches in India’s cricket history.
Sachin Tendulkar broke the record for most Test centuries after scoring his 35th in 2005 against Sri Lanka.
The renaming was in honour of the former finance minister of India, Arun Jaitley, who served as vice president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) and the BCCI.
This stadium is the home ground of the Delhi Capitals and was recently renovated so that it could host the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
Inderjit Singh Bindra Stadium – Punjab
Inderjit Singh Bindra Stadium is home to the Punjab Kings and has a capacity of 27,000.
It hosted three games in the 2011 Cricket World Cup, which was India’s second tournament triumph.
It has also hosted T20 international tournaments; India has played in T20 internationals at this stadium, winning three and losing one.
Sachin Tendulkar also passed Brian Lara’s record of 11,953 runs to become the highest scorer in Test cricket history.
Virat Kohli is the player to have the most runs in T20Is at this venue, with 156 runs from three innings.
IS Bindra Stadium is renowned for having 16 floodlights, which are very low in height. These floodlights prevent aircraft from Chandigarh Airport from crashing into them and allow for fantastic visibility at night.
The horseshoe-shaped stadium gives spectators a great view and allows for an immersive match experience.
These sports venues are architecturally remarkable and have witnessed some of India’s most treasured moments.
Each venue has played a crucial role in India’s sporting history and has become an attraction for locals and tourists.
As India grows in the sporting world, it will be interesting to see what jaw-dropping moments will be produced in these venues in the future.
