The beauty of cricket stadiums worldwide is the variety they provide. From the fast bouncy pitches in South Africa and swing-friendly conditions in the UK to a spinner’s paradise in the Indian subcontinent, each region has its own speciality. And what does any cricket lover dream of? It is to watch such thrilling action live in the stadium, cheering their team to glory. Whether it be the synchronised clapping in England or the unsynchronised hooting of the spectators in India, a full-packed stadium offers a unique experience. Keeping that in mind, we look at the top 10 cricket stadiums worldwide that allow the game’s admirers to flock in, in large numbers.
Top 10 Cricket Stadiums: Adelaide Oval, Australia (10th Biggest)
If there’s one stadium that offers a mesmerising spectacle at dusk, it has to be the Adelaide Oval in South Australia, with a seating capacity of 50k. Since the inception of pink ball test matches, it has been the chosen venue Down Under. The infamous Indian defeat, where the Indian batting lineup folded on 36 all out, transpired at the Oval.
In the BBL and WBBL, it is home to the Adelaide Strikers. Besides cricket, it also hosts other sports and cultural events.
At Number 9: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, India
The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow sits at number 9, allowing around 50k cricket lovers to watch the action unfold. It was inaugurated in 2017 and became an upgraded option to host international matches, from the relatively smaller Green Park in Kanpur.
At Number 8: Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, India
In this list of the top 10 cricket stadiums, the Greenfield International Stadium takes the 8th spot, with 55,000 capacity. Although the venue has not seen a slew of international cricket games, it hosts football matches regularly. We hope to see more cricket matches in the state, which has given us talented cricketers like Sanju Samson.
Top 10 Cricket Stadiums: Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad, India (7th Biggest)
Another stadium with a 55,000 capacity, the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad, is owned and operated by the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). The world-famous wristy players, VVS Laxman, Mohammad Azharuddin, etc., had all mastered their game playing at this venue. In the Indian Premier League, it is the home ground of the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
At Number 6: Naya Raipur International Cricket Stadium, Naya Raipur, India
Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Naya Raipur accommodates around 60k people to take the sixth position on this list. Named after Chhattisgarh’s first freedom fighter who was martyred in the First War of Independence in 1857, the stadium is the state’s finest leap into world-class infrastructure.
Top 10 Cricket Stadiums: Perth Stadium, Perth, Australia (5th Biggest)
Although the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) had a rich history in the cricketing world, It did not offer sufficient capacity to host high-profile matches. To overcome this problem, the Optus Stadium (Perth Stadium), with a capacity of 60k, was inaugurated in 2018.
At Number 4: ANZ Stadium, Sydney, Australia
The ANZ Stadium, also referred to as Stadium Australia, is the biggest cricket stadium in New South Wales, Sydney. Australia bid to host the Summer Olympics and Paralympics in 2000, and this stadium was the island nation’s endeavour to make it a highly successful event. Accommodating over 66,000 people, it is now a multi-purpose venue, which features multiple sports and cultural events. It has not been on the international calendar for quite some time now, having hosted the last T20I in 2014.
At Number 3: Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India
Eden Gardens was one of the biggest cricket stadiums in the world before it underwent renovation. Although its capacity reduced from over 1 lakh to somewhere between 66k and 70k, the venue retained its aura and charm.
This historical venue in Kolkata has witnessed some legendary games, including the 2001 Test against the mighty Aussies, where they won the game after following on. Rohit Sharma’s 264 in an ODI against Sri Lanka also happened at this historical ground. In the IPL, it is the home venue for the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Top 10 Cricket Stadiums: MCG, Melbourne, Australia (2nd Biggest)
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), with a seating capacity of over 1 lakh, is among the biggest stadiums in the world. The MCG is a testament to Australia being a massive sporting nation. It has been hosting Boxing Day Test matches since 1950, which witness huge turnout, hardly leaving a seat unoccupied. The MCG is the focal point for multiple sports in Australia, including AFL, rugby, football, etc.
In 2020, the MCG recorded an attendance of 86,174 in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final, the highest in a women’s game. The Australian Women’s Team did return the favour by winning the tournament, defeating India in the final, courtesy of an Alyssa Healy special.
At Number 1: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India
The Narendra Modi Stadium is the biggest cricket stadium in the world, allowing 1,32,000 spectators on its premises. The erstwhile Sardar Patel Stadium made way for this grand structure. It has recently become the go-to venue for hosting high-profile games, be it the IPL or the ICC ODI World Cup final. Given its humongous structure, we can expect numerous high-octane clashes at this venue in the future, too.
Also read: Largest cricket stadiums in India by seating capacity (Top 10)
