Stadiums are the temples of their sports and to visit them is a once in a lifetime opportunity, here are the top 5 largest cricket stadiums.
Top 5 largest cricket stadiums in the world.
Cricket is mostly played in the Commonwealth countries. In a country like India, where cricket is considered to be a religion and cricketers are compared to God, it is natural that people dream about watching matches live, experience the adrenaline rush that comes with it in the stadium, and also sees their favorite superstars perform live in front of them.
To add to that experience, if the stadium has historical facts, memories and incidents attached with it, like the six sixes Yuvraj Singh hit to Stuart Broad in Kingsmead Stadium, Durban or the ten wickets taken by Anil Kumble in a single Test inning in Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi, the fans get to relive those moments in their memories.
Here is a compilation of the five largest cricket stadiums around the world and some interesting facts about them that will make you want to visit the stadiums ASAP!
1. Sardar Patel Stadium or Motera Cricket Stadium – India
The first massive cricket stadium on our list is the Sardar Patel stadium located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
| Ground information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Motera, Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| Capacity | 132,000 |
| Operator | Gujarat Cricket Association |
| End names | |
| Adani Pavilion End Reliance End |
|
It is considered the biggest cricket stadium in the world because it’s spectator capacity is 132,000.
This behemoth was built in 1982 and later repaired in 2020 with Shashi Prabhu being the architect behind the construction.
The stadium cost Rs. 800 crores to rebuild. The stadium was also used to host former US President Donald Trump in February last year.
2. Melbourne Cricket Ground – Australia
Taking the second spot on our list is the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia.
| Location | East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
|---|---|
| Owner | Government of Victoria |
| Operator | Melbourne Cricket Club |
| Executive suites | 109 |
| Capacity | 100,024 |
It was built in 1853 with a spectator capacity of 100,024.
This Australian cricket ground was where the first Test match ever played was hosted. It happened between March 15-19 in 1877.
3. Eden Gardens – India
Often referred to as ‘the Mecca of Indian cricket’, this stadium was built in Kolkata in 1864 with a spectator capacity of 66,349.
| Location | Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
|---|---|
| Establishment | 1864 |
| Capacity | 66,349 Current 100,000 (1987_2010) 40,000 (before 1987) Record Attendance 110,564 (Sri Lanka Vs India 1996 Cricket World Cup Semi Final) |
The first cricket match to be held here was a Test match that took place between January 5-8, 1934.
Eden Gardens has hosted matches in major international competitions including the World Cup, World Twenty20 and Asia Cup. In 1987, Eden Gardens became the second stadium to host a World Cup final.
The 2016 ICC World Twenty20 final was held at the stadium, with the West Indies beating England in a closely fought encounter.
Eden Gardens record crowd 110,564 in 1996 India Vs Sri Lanka Cricket World Cup Semi Final.
4. Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium – India
Taking the fourth spot on the list is this cricket stadium in Chhattisgarh that was established in 2008, and hosted its first cricket match between Canadian national cricket team and the Chhattisgarh cricket team in 2010.
| Ground information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Sector-3 Naya Raipur, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India |
| Coordinates | 21°12′15″N 81°49′24″E |
| Establishment | 11 September 2008 |
| Capacity | 65,000. |
It is the third largest cricket stadium in india and fourth-largest cricket stadium in the world. The stadium has a seating capacity of 65,000 approx.
Inaugurated in 2008, this ground hosted its first ever match in 2010, when the Canada national cricket team arrived in India and played a practice match against the Chhattisgarh state team.
In 2013, the stadium was declared as a second home venue for the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has since hosted many of the team’s matches.
5. Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium – India
The Rajiv Gandhi international cricket stadium is another 21st-century stadium, built in 2003.
| Location | Uppal, Hyderabad, Telangana, India |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 17°24′23.4″N 78°33′01.6″E |
| Establishment | 2003 |
| Capacity | 55,000 |
| Owner | Hyderabad Cricket Association |
It is located in Hyderabad and has a spectator capacity of 60,000. This cricket ground hosted its first cricket match in 2010 between November 12-16. It was a Test match between New Zealand and India.
HCA’s previous home ground was the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium in the Fateh Maidan sports complex at Basheerbagh in central Hyderabad.
The ground belonged to the Sports Authority of Telangana State and HCA had limited operating autonomy over this ground.
Moreover, due to its smaller size, it soon came to be known as a high-scoring ground and so Hyderabad was not considered for many high-profile cricket matches in India.