Are you a cricket fan? If you are, stick around for this. Cricket is a gentleman’s sport, and is often related to life, given that it does not end until the last ball is bowled. Over the years, the sport has only risen in popularity, leading to jam-packed stadiums for high-intensity matches. The atmosphere and excitement of these stadiums provide a unique experience. A lot relies on the stadiums since the larger they are, the higher the excitement and the chillier the goosebumps. What if I told you that there are stadiums that can hold over 1,00,000 people? In this blog, we’ll look at the 10 largest cricket stadiums in the world that will give you a sporting experience of a lifetime.
10 Largest cricket stadiums in the world
1. Narendra Modi Stadium
Located: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Built: 1982, repaired in 2020
Spectators Capacity: 1,10,000
Foremost, there is the recently refurbished Sardar Patel stadium. The stadium’s capacity before the refurbishment was 54000, and currently, it has a capacity of 1,10,000 people. India and the West Indies played the first international match at this site in 1983. To date, the stadium has hosted 12 Tests, 23 ODIs, and 1 T20I.
Memorable moment: Kapil Dev’s 9/83 against the West Indies in test innings.
2. Melbourne Cricket Ground
Located: Melbourne, Australia
Built: 1853
Spectator Capacity: 1,00,024
The Melbourne Cricket Ground, also known as the MCG, has a massive capacity of 1,00,024 and is one of the largest cricket stadiums in the world. With a stunning 274 international cricket matches hosted to date, including 112 Tests, 149 ODIs, and 13 T20Is, it holds the record for hosting the most international games.
Memorable moment: Virat Kohli hit 82 against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 to announce his comeback.
3. Eden Gardens
Located: Kolkata, India
Built: 1864
Spectator Capacity: 66,349
Eden Gardens is the most prestigious and historic cricket stadium in India, and one of the largest cricket stadiums in the world. The venue has played host to 7 T20Is, 30 ODIs, and 42 Tests. Eden Gardens initially appeared during the reign of Governor-General Lord Auckland (1836-42). According to the narrative, Lord Auckland was gifted this ground by a local landowner. England and India took part in the stadium’s inaugural international game in 1934.
Memorable moment: VVS Laxman conjured up 281 to help India win from an impossible situation. Rohit Sharma smashed the highest-ever ODI score of 264 against Sri Lanka in this venue.
4. Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium
Located: Raipur, Chhattisgarh
Built: 2008
Spectator Capacity: 65,000
The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium is in the fourth position. There hasn’t yet been an international game played at the stadium. But the stadium has also occasionally hosted IPL and Champions League T20 matches. The stadium can hold many international matches in the future thanks to its amenities and capacity.
Memorable moment: The stadium hosted the Champions League T20 in 2014 and the Delhi Capitals in the 2013 season of the Indian Premier League.
5. Optus cricket stadium
Located: Perth, Australia
Built: 2018
Spectator Capacity: 60,000
The Optus cricket stadium is one of the largest cricket stadiums in the world, and in Australia with a capacity of 60000. Australia trounced India by 146 runs in a Test match, which served as the stadium’s inaugural international event of 2018. Two tests, two ODIs, and one T20I have so far been held at the Optus Stadium.
Memorable moment: Marnus Labuschagne scored 143 runs against New Zealand in 2019 to help Australia win by 296 runs.
6. Adelaide Oval
Located: Adelaide
Built: 1871
Spectator Capacity: 55,317
The Adelaide Oval is a stadium that has existed for almost 13 decades and is ranked sixth in the world, with a capacity of over 55,000 people. The first international cricket match in this stadium took place in 1884 when England defeated Australia by 8 wickets. So far, this venue has hosted 78 Tests, 85 ODIs, and 5 T20Is.
Memorable moment: Australia scored 674 against a weak Indian team in 1948, with Don Bradman leading the way with a double century.
7. Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium
Located: Uppal, Hyderabad
Built: 2003
Spectator Capacity: 55,000
The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium is ranked seventh and is one of the largest cricket stadiums in the world. It has hosted five Tests, six ODIs, and three T20 Internationals. On November 16, 2005, the stadium held its maiden international match, an ODI between India and South Africa.
Memorable moment: On November 5, 2009, Sachin Tendulkar scored a miraculous 175 in a losing cause versus Australia.
8. Greenfield International Stadium
Located: Trivandrum, India
Built: 2014
Spectator Capacity: 50,000
It is India’s first DBOT-style outdoor stadium, built in 2014, with a seating capacity of 50,000. The Greenfield International Cricket Stadium has only held one ODI and two T20Is. On November 7, 2017, India played New Zealand in a T20I match at the Greenfield Cricket Stadium for the first time.
Memorable moment: In the only ODI series played here, India bowled out the West Indies for 104, and chased down the target with 9 wickets in hand.
9. Ekana Cricket Stadium
Located: Lucknow, India
Built: 2017
Spectator Capacity: 50,000
The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium is a world-class cricket venue with a seating capacity of 50,000 for day and night matches. The stadium’s design adheres to the criteria and specifications established by the ICC and BCCI for holding international cricket matches.
Memorable moment: Hosting India vs. West Indies white ball series was a memorable experience.
10. Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)
Located: Sydney, Australia
Built: 2017
Spectator Capacity: 48,000
The Sydney Cricket Ground is ranked tenth (SCG). The SCG now seats approximately 48000 spectators. It is a venue that has seen countless incidents that have become part of cricket history. The SCG hosted the first international cricket match between arch-rivals, Australia and England, in 1882. So far, the SCG has hosted a record 108 Tests.
Memorable moment: The venue is notable for Sachin Tendulkar’s stunning 241* without playing a single cover drive.
This sums up our list of the 10 largest cricket stadiums in the world. Let’s not forget the Lord’s cricket ground, known as the home of cricket. Even though it is not the biggest stadium, it holds a lot of iconic moments in cricket’s history. Do not miss a chance to experience cricket at any of these venues; you will have an absolute blast.
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