Indian Football is progressing at a rapid rate after the inauguration of ISL (Indian Super League). I-League has also come a long way and has been equally important in the rise of Indian Football. Kolkata is known as the Mecca of Indian football as it has some of the best football clubs in the nation. West Bengal has some of the biggest football stadiums in the country.
The Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata is the best football stadium in the country and if you watch a Kolkata derby in the jam-packed stadium, it is a unique experience.
The Salt Lake stadium was established in 1984 and back then it could officially hold 120,000 spectators. Interestingly, during a Kolkata derby in 1997, the attendance figures crossed 130,000. However, after the renovation of the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup, its capacity was reduced to 85,000 due to the installation of bucket seats in place of the concrete benches.
Here’s the top 10 biggest football stadiums in India in 2024:
10. Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium
Capacity: 32,844
Location: Guwahati
Home Team: NortEast United FC
Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, also known as Sarusajai Stadium, is a football stadium in the city of Guwahati, in the Indian state of Assam. It is the current home ground of NorthEast United FC. Besides hosting football matches, the stadium is also used for athletics.
Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium was inaugurated in 2007. The stadium is named after Indira Gandhi, who was the Prime Minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. It is one of the biggest football stadiums in India.
9. Khuman Lampak Stadium
Capacity: 35,285
Location: Imphal
Home Team: NEROCA FC, TRAU FC
Khuman Lampak Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Imphal, the capital city of the Indian state of Manipur. The stadium is named after Khuman Lampak, a famous freedom fighter and social reformer from the region.
The stadium has a seating capacity of around 35,000 spectators and is primarily used for football matches. It is the home ground of several football clubs, including NEROCA FC and TRAU FC, which both compete in the I-League. The stadium has also hosted other sporting events, such as athletics competitions and boxing matches. Khuman Lampak Stadium was inaugurated in 1999.
8. Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Location: Kollam
Home Team: NA
Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium is a multi-purpose football stadium located in the city of Hyderabad, in the Indian state of Telangana. It is also known as the Fateh Maidan. The stadium was renamed Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium in 1967 after Lal Bahadur Shastri, who was the Prime Minister of India from 1964 to 1966.
7. Kanchenjunga Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Location: Siliguri
Home Team: Kanchenjunga FC
The Kanchenjunga Stadium, also known as Kanchanjungha Krirangan, is a multi-purpose stadium in Siliguri, India. The stadium is named after the Kanchenjunga mountain range, which is located in the nearby Himalayan region. The stadium was built in the 1980s with a capacity of 40,000. It has hosted many matches for various football clubs from West Bengal and is currently the home ground of Siliguri Premier League side Kanchenjunga FC. The stadium in the hills is one of the biggest football stadiums in India.
6. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Location: Chennai
Home Team: Chennaiyin FC
Located in Chennai, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is one of the biggest football stadiums in India, with a seating capacity of 60,000 people. This magnificent stadium opened in 1995 and has hosted many football leagues and tournaments such as ISL, I-League and even Asian Cup matches. In addition to football matches, the stadium also regularly hosts concerts by popular international artists and has recently been listed as one of the venues for the 2023 AFC Under-20 Championship.
5. Birsa Munda Football Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Location: Ranchi
Home Team: NA
The Birsa Munda Football Stadium is a football stadium in Ranchi, the capital city of Jharkhand state in India. It was inaugurated in 2009. This stadium is used by Ranchi Football clubs as a second stadium after the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium. The stadium is named after Birsa Munda, a legendary tribal leader and freedom fighter from the region.
4. EMS Stadium
Capacity: 53,000
Location: Kozhikode
Home Team: Gokulam Kerala
The EMS Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Kozhikode, a city in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The stadium is home to the Gokulam Kerala Football Club, which is a professional football club that competes in the I-League. The stadium is named after E. M. S. Namboodiripad, the first Chief Minister of Kerala. The stadium was built in 1977. In addition to football matches, the stadium also hosts various other events, such as cultural and political gatherings, concerts, and exhibitions.
3. Jawaharlal Nehru Commonwealth Stadium
Capacity: 60,254
Location: New Delhi
Home Team: NA
The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi is in third place on the list of the biggest football stadiums with a capacity of more than 60,000. It is located close to the Purana Qila (Old Fort) and was used as the main venue for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. It has also been used for football matches from time to time and was home to Indian Super League side Delhi Dynamos FC.
2. Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium
Capacity: 61,000
Location: Kochi
Home Team: Kerala Blasters
The Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, also known as Kaloor Stadium, is in second place on the list of the biggest football stadiums in India and the biggest stadium in Kerala. Built in 1997, it has a seating capacity of 61,000 people and is located in Kochi. The stadium was initially used only to host international cricket matches but eventually started hosting domestic football matches in 2004. In 2023, it hosts the Indian Super League matches of Kerala Blasters FC. The stadium also hosts occasional concerts by international artists such as Steve Aoki and Diplo.
1. Salt Lake Stadium
Capacity: 85,000
Location: Kolkata
Home Team: ATK Mohun Bagan, East Bengal
The Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata is one of the most iconic and biggest football stadiums in India, with a capacity of more than 85,000. Located in the heart of Kolkata, it was originally built for the 1982 Asian Games and hosted football matches from the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup. It is currently home to some of India’s top clubs, including East Bengal FC and ATK Mohun Bagan.
Which is the biggest stadium in India?
Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata is the biggest stadium in India.
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