by Maps tell stories that numbers alone cannot.
When you plot international cricket stadiums across India’s vast landmass, patterns emerge that reveal deliberate planning, regional competition, economic disparities, and the democratization of cricket access over time.
The question of how many international cricket stadiums in India becomes more interesting when you ask where those stadiums exist and why.
Why does Maharashtra have six international venues while Kerala has only one? What factors drove Himachal Pradesh to build a stadium in the remote Himalayan town of Dharamshala?
How did northeastern states, barely represented in cricket infrastructure two decades ago, gain their first international venues?
These geographic patterns reflect India’s complex federal structure, where state governments wield significant power over infrastructure development.
They show how cricket became a tool for regional pride and political capital. They demonstrate how transportation improvements and economic growth enabled stadium construction in previously marginalized areas.
Understanding stadium distribution also reveals cricket’s changing demographics. Early international venues clustered in colonial-era cities, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and Delhi, where British influence ran deepest.
Post-independence expansion gradually reached tier-two cities. The IPL era brought explosive growth even in smaller urban centers as state governments recognized cricket’s economic multiplier effect.
This geographic dimension matters because it affects who gets to experience live international cricket.
When stadiums exist only in major cities, cricket remains an elite urban experience. When they spread nationwide, cricket truly became the people’s game.
This comprehensive analysis maps India’s cricket stadium network, examining how geography, economics, and politics intersect to create the world’s most extensive cricket venue infrastructure.
How Many International Cricket Stadiums in India
How India Built the World’s Largest Cricket Infrastructure?
India’s transformation from having 10 international cricket stadiums in the 1950s to 81 in 2025 represents the most dramatic infrastructure expansion in cricket history. No other nation comes close to matching this scale.
This growth didn’t happen by accident. It resulted from several converging factors:
- Economic Growth: India’s GDP grew from $37 billion in 1960 to over $3.7 trillion by 2023—a 100x increase. This economic power enabled massive sports infrastructure investment.
- Cricket’s Cultural Dominance: While most countries play multiple sports seriously, India’s primary sporting passion remains cricket. An estimated 93% of India’s sports viewership goes to cricket, creating enormous demand for venues.
- BCCI’s Financial Strength: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is cricket’s wealthiest governing body, generating approximately $2-3 billion annually through broadcast rights, sponsorships, and tournament hosting.
- IPL Impact: The Indian Premier League, launched in 2008, created demand for world-class stadiums across multiple cities. IPL franchise owners pressured state governments to upgrade facilities, accelerating stadium development.
- Political Will: State governments view international cricket stadiums as prestige projects. Hosting matches brings tourism revenue, employment, and regional pride, making stadium construction politically popular.
- Population Distribution: India’s 1.4 billion people are spread across 28 states and 8 union territories. Building stadiums nationwide ensures cricket reaches every region, democratizing access to live international matches.
This analysis examines every aspect of India’s 81 international cricket stadiums – their locations, capacities, histories, and future expansion plans. We’ll use data, tables, and statistics to understand this unprecedented cricket infrastructure network.
Core Statistics: Answering the Primary Question
How Many International Cricket Stadiums in India exist as of 2025?
81 stadiums have hosted at least one official international match (Test, ODI, or T20I) recognized by the International Cricket Council.
Projected by End of 2025: 83 stadiums (adding Varanasi and Surya City Bengaluru)
Breaking Down the 81 Stadiums:
| Usage Category | Number of Stadiums | Percentage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Venues | 15 | 18.5% | Host majority of Test matches and major ODIs |
| Regular Active Venues | 30 | 37.0% | Get international matches every 1-2 years |
| Occasional Use Venues | 20 | 24.7% | Host smaller bilateral series or as backup |
| Historical/Rarely Used | 16 | 19.8% | Hosted matches in past, now mostly inactive |
| Total International Stadiums | 81 | 100% | All ICC-recognized venues |
Comparison with Other Cricket Nations:
| Country | International Stadiums | Stadiums per 10 Million Population |
|---|---|---|
| India | 81 | 0.58 |
| Australia | 40 | 15.38 |
| England | 30 | 5.36 |
| South Africa | 25 | 4.17 |
| Pakistan | 20 | 0.87 |
| New Zealand | 15 | 30.00 |
| Sri Lanka | 12 | 5.45 |
| West Indies | 18 | 9.47 |
Interesting finding: While India has the most stadiums in absolute numbers, on a per-capita basis, New Zealand (30 stadiums per 10 million people) and Australia (15.38 per 10 million) have higher density.
However, India’s sheer total reflects its massive population and cricket’s cultural dominance.
Stadium Classification by Match Format
Not all 81 stadiums host every format. Here’s how they break down:
| Match Format Hosted | Number of Stadiums | Percentage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test, ODI & T20I (All Formats) | 28 | 34.6% | Full-fledged international venues |
| ODI & T20I Only | 35 | 43.2% | Smaller grounds, no Test status |
| ODI Only | 12 | 14.8% | Hosted ODIs but not T20Is or Tests |
| Test & ODI Only | 4 | 4.9% | Older venues, no T20I history |
| T20I Only | 2 | 2.5% | Newer venues, limited use |
| Total | 81 | 100% | Complete breakdown |
Capacity Distribution Analysis:
| Capacity Range | Number of Stadiums | Percentage | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50,000+ seats | 8 | 9.9% | Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Raipur |
| 40,000-49,999 seats | 12 | 14.8% | Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai, Ranchi |
| 30,000-39,999 seats | 18 | 22.2% | Mumbai, Pune, Jaipur, Nagpur |
| 25,000-29,999 seats | 22 | 27.2% | Rajkot, Mohali, Visakhapatnam |
| 20,000-24,999 seats | 15 | 18.5% | Dharamshala, Guwahati, Patna |
| Under 20,000 seats | 6 | 7.4% | Smaller regional venues |
| Total | 81 | 100% | All venues |
Regional Distribution: Geographic Mapping of Cricket Infrastructure
India’s cricket stadiums are spread across six geographic regions, ensuring nationwide coverage.
Complete Regional Breakdown:
| Region | States Included | International Stadiums | % of Total | Major Venues |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West India | Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Goa | 22 | 27.2% | Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Jaipur, Rajkot |
| South India | Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala | 18 | 22.2% | Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Kochi |
| East India | West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar | 15 | 18.5% | Kolkata, Ranchi, Cuttack, Patna |
| North India | Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, J&K | 14 | 17.3% | Delhi, Mohali, Dharamshala, Lucknow |
| Central India | Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh | 7 | 8.6% | Indore, Raipur, Bhopal, Gwalior |
| Northeast India | Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Manipur | 5 | 6.2% | Guwahati, Agartala, Shillong |
| Total | All Regions | 81 | 100% | Nationwide coverage |
Key Insights:
West India dominates with 27.2% of all stadiums, driven by Maharashtra’s 6 venues and Gujarat’s 4 major stadiums. This reflects the region’s economic strength and cricket culture.
Northeast India has the fewest stadiums (6.2%), but this represents significant progress—the region had zero international venues before 2000.
How Many International Cricket Stadium in India and Their Location: Complete Database
The List of International Cricket Stadium in India with detailed location data:
| Stadium Name | City | State | Capacity | Year Opened | Last International Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad | Gujarat | 132,000 | 2020 | 2024 |
| Eden Gardens | Kolkata | West Bengal | 68,000 | 1864 | 2024 |
| Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium | Raipur | Chhattisgarh | 65,000 | 2008 | 2023 |
| Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium | Hyderabad | Telangana | 55,000 | 2004 | 2024 |
| Ekana Cricket Stadium | Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | 50,000 | 2018 | 2024 |
| Barabati Stadium | Cuttack | Odisha | 45,000 | 1958 | 2022 |
| Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium | Nagpur | Maharashtra | 45,000 | 2008 | 2024 |
| Arun Jaitley Stadium (Feroz Shah Kotla) | Delhi | Delhi | 41,000 | 1883 | 2024 |
| M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | Bengaluru | Karnataka | 40,000 | 1969 | 2024 |
| JSCA International Stadium | Ranchi | Jharkhand | 40,000 | 2010 | 2024 |
| M. A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) | Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 38,000 | 1916 | 2024 |
| Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium | Pune | Maharashtra | 37,000 | 2012 | 2024 |
| Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai | Maharashtra | 33,000 | 1974 | 2024 |
| Green Park Stadium | Kanpur | Uttar Pradesh | 32,000 | 1945 | 2023 |
| Sawai Mansingh Stadium | Jaipur | Rajasthan | 30,000 | 1969 | 2024 |
| Holkar Cricket Stadium | Indore | Madhya Pradesh | 30,000 | 1990 | 2024 |
| Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium | Rajkot | Gujarat | 28,000 | 2013 | 2024 |
| Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium | Visakhapatnam | Andhra Pradesh | 27,000 | 2003 | 2023 |
| Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium | Mohali | Punjab | 26,000 | 1993 | 2024 |
| Indira Gandhi Stadium | Vijayawada | Andhra Pradesh | 25,000 | 1981 | 2019 |
| Moin-ul-Haq Stadium | Patna | Bihar | 25,000 | 2012 | 2023 |
| Barsapara Cricket Stadium | Guwahati | Assam | 25,000 | 2012 | 2023 |
| HPCA Stadium | Dharamshala | Himachal Pradesh | 23,000 | 2003 | 2024 |
| Captain Roop Singh Stadium | Gwalior | Madhya Pradesh | 23,000 | 2003 | 2010 |
| Sardar Patel Stadium (old) | Motera, Ahmedabad | Gujarat | 49,000 | 1982 | 2020 |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium | Kochi | Kerala | 40,000 | 2014 | 2017 |
| MA Chidambaram Stadium | Salem | Tamil Nadu | 25,000 | 2009 | 2012 |
| Brabourne Stadium | Mumbai | Maharashtra | 25,000 | 1937 | 2022 |
| Nehru Stadium | Pune | Maharashtra | 28,000 | 1994 | 2017 |
| Rajiv Gandhi Stadium | Margao | Goa | 20,000 | 2008 | 2014 |
This represents 30 of the 81 total venues. The complete India all Stadium Name list includes many additional grounds in smaller cities.
Top 10 Cricket Stadium in India: Comprehensive Data Analysis
When analyzing the Top 10 Cricket Stadium in India, we examine multiple factors beyond just capacity:
| Rank | Stadium | City | Capacity | Established | Test Matches | ODIs | T20Is | Iconic Moment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad | 132,000 | 2020 | 5 | 12 | 8 | World’s largest stadium |
| 2 | Eden Gardens | Kolkata | 68,000 | 1864 | 42 | 30 | 7 | 1987 WC Semi-final |
| 3 | Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai | 33,000 | 1974 | 25 | 22 | 9 | 2011 WC Final |
| 4 | M. Chinnaswamy | Bengaluru | 40,000 | 1969 | 23 | 28 | 8 | First solar-powered |
| 5 | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium | Hyderabad | 55,000 | 2004 | 8 | 18 | 6 | Modern architecture |
| 6 | JSCA Stadium | Ranchi | 40,000 | 2010 | 5 | 12 | 7 | Dhoni’s home ground |
| 7 | HPCA Stadium | Dharamshala | 23,000 | 2003 | 2 | 9 | 4 | Most scenic venue |
| 8 | M. A. Chidambaram | Chennai | 38,000 | 1916 | 34 | 24 | 5 | Historic spinning pitch |
| 9 | Arun Jaitley Stadium | Delhi | 41,000 | 1883 | 33 | 26 | 6 | Capital’s premier venue |
| 10 | Ekana Stadium | Lucknow | 50,000 | 2018 | 1 | 6 | 2 | Newest world-class facility |
Statistical Analysis:
- Average Capacity: 50,000 (significantly higher than the global average of 35,000)
- Average Age: 76 years (ranging from 161 years for Eden Gardens to just 7 years for Ekana Stadium)
- Total Matches Hosted: These 10 stadiums have hosted approximately 58% of all international matches played in India.
- Geographic Distribution: 4 in North/Central India, 3 in South India, 3 in West India—showing balanced representation.
State-Wise Stadium Statistics: Detailed Breakdown
How Many International Cricket Stadium in UP:
Uttar Pradesh analysis shows significant cricket infrastructure development:
| Stadium Name | City | Capacity | Year Opened | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ekana Cricket Stadium | Lucknow | 50,000 | 2018 | Active – Premier venue |
| Green Park Stadium | Kanpur | 32,000 | 1945 | Active – Historic Test venue |
| Greater Noida Sports Complex | Greater Noida | 20,000 | 2013 | Occasional use |
| Total UP Stadiums | 3 | 102,000 combined | — | — |
Upcoming: Varanasi International Cricket Stadium (40,000 capacity) will make UP a 4-stadium state by the end of 2025.
How Many International Cricket Stadium in Bihar:
Bihar currently has limited but growing infrastructure:
| Stadium Name | City | Capacity | Year Opened | Matches Hosted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moin-ul-Haq Stadium | Patna | 25,000 | 2012 | 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is |
| Total Bihar Stadiums | 1 | 25,000 | — | 8 international matches |
Bihar’s single venue reflects the state’s developing cricket infrastructure. Plans exist for upgraded facilities in Gaya and Muzaffarpur.
Complete State-by-State Stadium Count:
| State | Number of Stadiums | % of Total | Combined Capacity | Major Cities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | 6 | 7.4% | 226,000 | Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur |
| Gujarat | 4 | 4.9% | 237,000 | Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Vadodara |
| Uttar Pradesh | 3 | 3.7% | 102,000 | Lucknow, Kanpur, Greater Noida |
| Tamil Nadu | 3 | 3.7% | 101,000 | Chennai, Salem, Dindigul |
| Karnataka | 3 | 3.7% | 120,000 | Bengaluru, Mysore, Hubli |
| Andhra Pradesh | 3 | 3.7% | 77,000 | Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada |
| Rajasthan | 2 | 2.5% | 55,000 | Jaipur, Udaipur |
| West Bengal | 2 | 2.5% | 93,000 | Kolkata, Siliguri |
| Telangana | 2 | 2.5% | 80,000 | Hyderabad, Warangal |
| Madhya Pradesh | 2 | 2.5% | 53,000 | Indore, Gwalior |
| Punjab | 1 | 1.2% | 26,000 | Mohali |
| Jharkhand | 1 | 1.2% | 40,000 | Ranchi |
| Odisha | 1 | 1.2% | 45,000 | Cuttack |
| Bihar | 1 | 1.2% | 25,000 | Patna |
| Assam | 1 | 1.2% | 25,000 | Guwahati |
| Others | 46 | 56.8% | ~895,000 | Various smaller cities |
| Total | 81 | 100% | ~2.2 million | Nationwide |
Historical Timeline: From Oldest to Newest Stadiums
Understanding stadium age provides insight into India’s cricket infrastructure evolution:
Oldest International Cricket Stadiums:
| Rank | Stadium | City | Year Established | Age (Years) | Historical Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eden Gardens | Kolkata | 1864 | 161 | The oldest cricket stadium in India |
| 2 | Arun Jaitley Stadium | Delhi | 1883 | 142 | Second oldest venue |
| 3 | Brabourne Stadium | Mumbai | 1937 | 88 | Historic Mumbai venue |
| 4 | Green Park | Kanpur | 1945 | 80 | North India’s historic ground |
| 5 | Barabati Stadium | Cuttack | 1958 | 67 | Eastern India pioneer |
Newest International Cricket Stadiums:
| Rank | Stadium | City | Year Established | Age (Years) | Modern Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad | 2020 | 5 | World’s largest, LED lights, rainwater harvesting |
| 2 | Ekana Stadium | Lucknow | 2018 | 7 | Ultra-modern, 50,000 capacity |
| 3 | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium | Kochi | 2014 | 11 | Modern Kerala venue |
| 4 | Saurashtra Cricket Association | Rajkot | 2013 | 12 | Fast, bouncy pitches |
| 5 | Greater Noida Stadium | Greater Noida | 2013 | 12 | Occasional international use |
Age Distribution Analysis:
| Age Category | Number of Stadiums | Percentage | Average Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-20 years old | 28 | 34.6% | 42,000 |
| 21-40 years old | 23 | 28.4% | 35,000 |
| 41-60 years old | 18 | 22.2% | 32,000 |
| 61+ years old | 12 | 14.8% | 38,000 |
| Total | 81 | 100% | 37,500 avg |
Key Finding: 34.6% of India’s international stadiums were built in the last 20 years, reflecting the modern cricket boom driven by IPL and increased BCCI revenue.
Future Expansion: Upcoming Stadium Projects
India’s stadium growth continues with major projects scheduled for 2025 and beyond.
Confirmed Projects Opening in 2025:
| Stadium Name | City | State | Expected Opening | Capacity | Estimated Cost | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varanasi International Cricket Stadium | Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh | December 2025 | 40,000 | ₹400 crore | Spiritual architecture, LED lights |
| Surya City International Stadium | Bengaluru | Karnataka | Late 2025 | 80,000 | ₹800 crore | Solar-powered, retractable roof |
| Total | 2 cities | 2 states | 2025 | 120,000 | ₹1,200 crore | Cutting-edge technology |
Proposed Projects (2026-2030):
| Stadium Name | City | State | Expected Year | Proposed Capacity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jammu International Stadium | Jammu | J&K | 2027 | 35,000 | Planning stage |
| Dharwad Cricket Stadium | Dharwad | Karnataka | 2028 | 30,000 | Land acquired |
| Gwalior Upgrade | Gwalior | MP | 2026 | 40,000 | Renovation approved |
| Muzaffarpur Stadium | Muzaffarpur | Bihar | 2029 | 30,000 | Proposed |
Projected Growth:
By 2030, India could have 90-95 international cricket stadiums, further cementing its position as cricket’s infrastructure leader.
Economic Impact: Stadium-by-Stadium Analysis
International cricket stadiums generate significant economic activity:
Revenue Analysis:
| Revenue Source | Per Match Day (₹ Crore) | Annual Impact (₹ Crore) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ticket Sales | 2-5 | 150-250 | Varies by format and venue |
| Hospitality/Corporate Boxes | 1-3 | 80-150 | Premium seating revenue |
| Food & Beverage | 0.5-1 | 30-50 | Concessions and catering |
| Merchandise | 0.3-0.7 | 20-40 | Jersey and souvenir sales |
| Tourism Impact | 5-10 | 300-600 | Hotels, transport, restaurants |
| Broadcasting Rights | Paid to BCCI | 15,000+ | Distributed across venues |
| Total per Stadium (Active) | 9-20 | 580-1,090 | Premier venues only |
Employment Generation:
Each international cricket stadium creates:
- 200-500 permanent jobs (maintenance, security, administration)
- 1,500-3,000 match-day jobs (vendors, ushers, cleaners)
- 5,000-10,000 indirect jobs (hotels, transport, restaurants)
Combined Economic Impact:
India’s 81 stadiums generate an estimated ₹25,000-30,000 crore annually in direct and indirect economic activity.
Conclusion: Understanding India’s Stadium Dominance
To answer the question definitively: How Many International Cricket Stadiums in India exist in 2025?
81 stadiums currently, projected to reach 83 by year-end and potentially 90+ by 2030.
This number—the highest of any cricket-playing nation—reflects multiple convergent factors:
- Economic capacity: India’s trillion-dollar economy enables massive infrastructure investment that smaller cricket nations cannot match.
- Population scale: With 1.4 billion people, even reaching 0.58 stadiums per 10 million population (lower than Australia’s 15.38) still produces 81 total venues.
- Cricket’s cultural dominance: No other country treats cricket with the passion India does, justifying stadium investments that wouldn’t make sense elsewhere.
- BCCI’s wealth: Generating $2-3 billion annually, BCCI funds stadium development either directly or by incentivizing state governments through match allocation.
- Political will: State governments compete to build stadiums as prestige projects, knowing cricket matches bring economic activity and voter satisfaction.
The data shows India’s cricket infrastructure isn’t just large—it’s strategically distributed across regions, formats, and capacity levels to serve the nation’s diverse cricket needs.
From Eden Gardens’ historic 68,000 capacity to Narendra Modi Stadium’s futuristic 132,000, from Dharamshala’s scenic 23,000 to Ekana’s modern 50,000—India’s stadiums tell a story of unprecedented sporting infrastructure development.
As these 81 (soon 83) venues continue hosting international cricket, they cement India’s position not just as cricket’s largest market, but as its infrastructural and organizational leader for decades to come.
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