TOP 10 LARGEST STADIUMS IN INDIA.
INTRODUCTION
From the East to the west, North to the South, Overseas and across the oceans, nothing beats the feeling of a filled stadium. Where every person’s opinion counts, where every individual is a champion regardless of which side you support, where the mind is as important, if not more important than any other part of the body. Winning spirit is in the air that everyone breaths. Winning is the song regardless of the nationality, country, race, color or tribe. More than 50,000 strangers united together for a common goal, and similar smiles. The power of a stadium! Let’s take a walk through the top 10 largest stadiums in India.
NAME: SALT LAKE STADIUM
About the Stadium.
It was established in 1984 and is also known as Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK). It is the 2nd largest stadium in India with a seating Capacity of 85,000. The stadium is located in Bidhannagar, Kolkata and it is the home of ATK, East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan. Before renovation it was the 2nd largest football stadium in the world with a seating capacity of 150,000 spectators. In order to meet the recommended FIFA standards, the stadium switched back to natural turf whereof it hosted under 17 world cup final.
Interesting and fun facts.
- The roof is made of metal tubes and aluminum sheets and concrete and fitted with two electric scoreboard and control rooms.
- It has three tiers of concrete galleries, 9 entry gates and 30 ramps for spectators to reach the viewing blocks.
- It has a climbing wall located at one side of the wall and its used for adventure purposes.
Conclusion.
Construction of sports facilities is a very expensive affair not only in India but all over the world. But the proper management and cooperation among clubs and stadia management is the key to coexistence and the growth of sports in any country. Salt Lake stadium is a perfect example of the fact that we can coexist and accommodate each other when we work together.
NAME: SARDAR PATEL STADIUM
About the stadium.
Constructed in 1983 Sardar Patel Stadium is also known as Motera Stadium based in Ahmedabad in India. It is the world largest cricket stadium with a seating capacity of 110,000, and it is owned by Gujarat Cricket Association. The stadium is mostly used for hosting Test, ODI and T20I matches. Initially the stadium was known as Gujarat stadium but later renamed Sardar Vallabbhai Patel in tribute to the India’s first home minister and deputy prime minister. Sardar Patel stadium came in existence after the Government of Gujarat donated 100 acres of land on the banks of Sabarmati River.
Interesting and fun facts.
- The stadium has 76 corporate boxes, each having a capacity of 25, a 55 room club house, an Olympic sized swimming pool and four dressing rooms.
- Unlike other stadiums it has LED lights on the roof instead of the usual floodlights at the cricket grounds. The LED lights are installed on an anti-bacterial, fireproof canopy with PTFE membrane that covers 30 meters of the total 55 meter’s breadth of seating area.
- The roof has been designed to be lightweight and separate from the seating bowls in order to allow for movement in times of seismic activity, making it fairly earthquake resistant.
- The parking lot can accommodate 3,000 cars and 10,000 two wheelers and or can accommodate movement of around 60,000 simultaneously.
Conclusion.
Cricket is a game loved, followed and adored by millions of Indians across the globe. No other stadium but the Sardar Patel Stadium provides the best venue to watch when the same is at display. With such state of the art stadium, it provides a perfect opportunity for citizens to witness glory at its best.
NAME: EDEN GARDENS STADIUM
Image: Eden Garden Stadium
About the stadium
Eden Gardens Stadium is a cricket stadium in Kolkata. It was established in 1964 and it is the oldest cricket stadium in India. The name Eden Gardens originated from Eden Garden one of the oldest parks in Kolkata, which was named after the Eden Sisters of Lord Auckland. It has a seating capacity of 66,349 and it’s the home of Bengal Cricket team, IPL Franchise Cricket team, Kolkata Knight Riders and also a venue for Test, ODI and T20I of the India national team. The stadium is also known as the “Mecca of Indian Cricket” since it was the first officially built arena for the game of cricket.
Interesting and fun facts.
- The Stadium is known for its vociferous crowds; former Aussie Captain Steve Waugh considers the Eden Gardens as the Lords of the Subcontinent. Dileep Vengsarkar called the Eden Gardens as the second best after Lords. Former Indian Captain and Kolkata Native Souray Ganguly confessed in an interview that the roar of crowd at the stadium heard when India defeated Australia in the second test of 2000-01 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was the loudest ever heard.
- The stadium is fitted with a bell to ring in the start of days’ play for test cricket and start of match for ODI & ODI and T20I matches. Kapil Dev was the first person to ring the bell to the start the test match between India and New Zealand in September 2016.
Conclusion.
Not only is this beautiful stadium a sports arena, it holds the rich history of the game of cricket. It took the game of cricket to the next level by establishing itself as the first officially constructed cricket stadium in India. This is the genesis of the love and support that the cricket game enjoys in India.
NAME: RAIPUR INTERNATIONAL CRICKET STADIUM
About the stadium
The stadium is also known as Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium. It is located in Raipur Chhattisgarh, it is situated close to the Swami Vivekananda Airport in Nava Raipur 21 kilometers away from Raipur main City, and located at National highway. It has a seating capacity of 65,000 and it was opened to the public in the year 2008. The stadium was built and owned by the Government of Chhattisgarh. The venue is regarded as the home of Daredevils franchise.
Interesting and fun facts.
- The first march played at the stadium is Canada National Cricket Team versus Chhattisgarh state team one-day match in 2010.
Conclusion.
A stadium arena is the only avenue and place where, the brave and the wise grace the moment of history and absolute beauty unfold. Stadiums are the breeding grounds where friendship, unity and togetherness are created.
NAME: JAWAHARLAL NEHRU STADIUM (DELHI)
Image: Ariel view of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Delhi)
About the stadium.
It is located in New Delhi India, named after the first prime minister of India. It has a seating capacity of 60,000, and it was built and fully owned by the Government of India. It is the home of Indian National football team, though it also hosts other events like, athletics, concerts and cricket. The stadium was renovated in 2010 in readiness for 2010 commonwealth games where a German company Gerkan Marg and partners was given the mandate of designing the new look Jawaharlal Nehru stadium. The new look stadium was ready in July 2010 and it was fitted with a new roof, improved seating and other facilities to meet the recommended standards.
Interesting and fun facts.
- It has an innovative design for roof over seating tier making it one of the largest membrane roof system in the world.
- The membrane of the roof is illuminated during night hours with the state of the art façade lighting to relieve the spectators of monotony.
- Air conditioned tunnel for the performers of the opening and closing ceremonies inside the stadium below the athletes track and arena.
- It is the largest auditorium in Delhi with dedicated double basement parking.
Conclusion
The stadium being one of the latest state of the art stadium in India, it boosts one of the best architectural designs witnessed in India. It is an epitome of pride and a sense of belonging to the people of Delhi and therefore it has lived up to the purposes for which it was named, the first prime minister of India.
NAME: EMS STADIUM KOZHIKODE
About the Stadium.
This is a multi-purpose stadium built in Kozhikode (Calicut) and mostly used to host football events. It is referred to as the home of I league side Gokulam Kerala Fc, and it was established in the year 1977. The stadium has a seating capacity of 60,000. The name of the stadium originated from first chief Minister of Kerala communist leader E.M.S Namboodiripad. The stadium is equipped with floodlights in order for it to host both football games and cricket.
Interesting and fun facts
- It is recognized as the best football pitch in India by experts and the media. The stadium is famous for because of the crazy fans of Kozhikode.
- With the constructions of the grand stand it will rise to the international standards, having a state of the art facilities and a VIP lodge having 200 seating capacity, media Centre, and changing rooms for players.
- In 1980 the venue hosted AFC Women Asian Cup where India won silver
- In 1987 Nehru cup was held at the same venue and won by Russia.
Conclusion
E.M.S Stadium Kozhikode is not just but a stadium but it is an arena where, history is made. Named after their leader and being the home of India Football team. The stadium will go down in history as the home of heroes.
NAME: DY PATIL STADIUM
About the stadium
The stadium is also known as DY Patil Sports stadium is a football and cricket stadium at D. Y. Patil campus at Neru in NAVI Mumbai, Maharashra, India. It was designed by Hafeez Contractor. It was inaugurated in 2008 and it was the home of IPL team Mumbai Indians. In 2014 it was announced as the home stadium of ISL Franchise Mumbai City FC. The stadium has a seating capacity of 55,000 making it the 8th largest stadium in India.
Interesting and fun facts.
- The stadium is set in a way that individual bucket seats are available to spectators. There are no pillars obstructing the view of the ground.
- Spectators are monitored by a network of digital cameras producing images of very high quality which are sent to security agencies. Axis cameras are installed for the first time in India.
- The stadium is designed to be earthquake-proof, with fire-fighting and evacuation facilities.
- The Guinness Book of records lists the “Largest health awareness lesson (single venue) as 51,861 participants, achieved by Dr. Shri Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratishthan (India) at the stadium on the 20thDecember 2013.
Conclusion.
DY Patil Stadium is a master piece on how the security and wellbeing of spectators is and should be. The amount of investment in security at DY Patil Stadium should be emulated by all sports loving countries globally. Sports is social event with a sole purpose of making people happy.
NAME: RAJIV GANDHI INTERNATIONAL CRICKET STADIUM (HYDERABAD)
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium ( Hyderabad)
About the Stadium
The stadium is located in Uppal, an eastern suburb of the city. It has a seating capacity of 55,000 and extends across 16 acres of land. It is formerly known as Visaka International Cricket Stadium Ground. The stadium is owned by sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh, giving the Hyderabad cricket Association limited control over the facility. It is the home of Sun riser Hyderabad (India).
Interesting and fun facts.
- The stadium has and Arial view of RGICS, Uppal Hyderabad, The lush green outfield and obstruction free view of the play area for the eyes.
- The stadium has ample [parking, exclusive practice area, reception lounge, commentators room, corporate boxes, spacious press room with all communication facility, exclusive room for umpires and sate of the art dressing rooms for teams.
- Flood light mounted on six towers, illuminate the stadium during day-night matches, flood lights were commissioned in April 2007.
Conclusion.
The Grand Reception hall at the facility, used as memorabilia is an icon that, not illustrates the culture at the Stadium but it is, an epitome of the journey walked and graced by great men and women who graced the venue as sports men. Forever they will leave in the memory of the people of Hyderabad.
NAME: M.A. CHIDAMBARAM STADIUM (CHENNAI)
Image: Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai)
About the stadium.
This is a cricket stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It was established in 1916 and it is the second oldest stadium India after Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The stadium is named after M.A. Chidambaram former president of BCCI, the stadium was formerly known as Madras Cricket Club Ground and also nicknamed the Chapauk Stadium. It is the home ground of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Team and Indian premier league team Chennai Super Kings. The stadium has a seating capacity of 50,000 spectators. It held its first test match in 10th February 1934.
Interesting and Fun Facts.
- Chepauk crowd is known to be amongst the most supportive and appreciative in the country. The gave standing ovation to SAED Anwar after scoring the highest ever ODI score of 194 against India in 1997.
- The crowd was also appreciative when Pakistan won a test match in 1999 and Pakistan team made a lap of honor in appreciation of the spectators sporting behavior.
- The land where the stadium is built is a lease between the association and the cricket association and the same is subject to renewal upon the expiry of the current lease term.
Conclusion.
In order for sports to grow in any country, the club’s management must up their game and look for means and ways in the clubs can raise resources and establish their own stadiums. In such a way the club is a better position to raise revenue which can enable them run the club efficiently. This a major challenge not only in India but most developing countries.
NAME: TIED FEROZ SHAH KOTLA GROUND, DELHI
About the stadium
The stadium was established in 1883, in Delhi India and the second oldest stadium in India. The stadium has a seating capacity of 48,0000. The stadium was renamed to Arun Jaitley Stadium in the year 2019 in honor of former finance Minister Arun Jaitley This also was as result of his contribution to the game of cricket. It’s the home of Delhi Daredevils.
Interesting and Fun Facts.
- Anil Kumble’s famous 10/74 in an innings, against Pakistan in 1999, with this figures, kumble became only the second bowler after Jim Laker to take all the ten wickets in an innings.
- In 2005 Sachin Tendulkar went past Sunil Gavaskar record of 34 test centuries, registering his 35thtest ton in the second test against Sri-Lanka at this venue
Conclusion.
This is a stadium that holds the history and or the culture of India in one accord. The stadium is not only the oldest but its natural position in the heart of the city and or the renaming of the same in favor of one of the countries famous leader makes it more dear to Indians. It speaks not only to Sports loving Citizens but also to the whole population at large.
.