Cricket has been a traditional and mostly English sport, with a huge and loudly passionate fandom across the globe. Being an English sport, cricket, and cricket grounds are found more in England and Australia, and countries such as India and South Africa which were once under the British colonial Empire.
Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world, and its popularity has led to the construction of some truly impressive cricket grounds. From historic venues to modern marvels, cricket grounds come in all shapes and sizes, with some of the largest stadiums capable of holding tens of thousands of spectators.
In this article, we will explore the largest cricket grounds in the world, including their histories, unique features, and memorable moments in cricketing history.
Also see: Modern Architectural Wonders of the World
Largest Cricket Stadiums in the World
Here we have a list of the largest cricket grounds in the world ordered by capacity.
1. Narendra Modi Stadium | Capacity: 132,000
The Narendra Modi Stadium, formally known as the Motera Stadium, holds the prestigious title of being the largest cricket stadium globally. It is the largest cricket stadium in the world by seating capacity.
Situated in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, this magnificent venue has surpassed all others in terms of seating capacity. After undergoing extensive renovation and expansion between 2016 and 2020, the stadium now stands as a testament to modern architecture and engineering marvels. With a seating capacity of over 132,000 spectators, it has outshined the famed Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia.
The Narendra Modi Stadium has hosted several international cricket matches, including Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). In addition to cricket, the Narendra Modi Stadium has the capability to host other sports and events, including football and athletics. It is also equipped with advanced technology for broadcasting and media coverage.
Check out These Interesting Facts about Narendra Modi Stadium
2. MCG, Melbourne, Australia | Capacity: 96,000
The largest cricket stadium in the world, the Melbourne Cricket Ground has been hosting cricket for almost 160 years. In addition to that, every Boxing Day almost 100,000 enthusiastic fans fill the stands to watch the traditional Test match and it is the liveliest event of the year in the stadium. The 1992 Cricket World Cup final between Pakistan and England saw more than 87,000 spectators in attendance. With cafés, eateries, and bars spread out over its campus, you can enjoy breaks from the game and maybe just lounge out.
3. Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India | Capacity: 66,000
The garden of Eden for cricketers and fans alike, Eden Gardens has been dubbed ‘cricket’s answer to the Colosseum’. Home to the IPL’s Kolkata Knight Riders and Bengal Cricket Team, Eden Gardens is one of the prestigious sporting venues and one of the most iconic stadiums in cricket. Construction was completed in 1864, and since then the stadium has become a venue of passionate cricket matches supported by loud and extremely vocal fans. Officially the stadium can hold 66,000 spectators but there have been instances of over 100,000 people filling up the stands. In its long history, the ground has seen several legendary players facing off in iconic matches and even some riots in the past century.
4. Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, India | Capacity 65,000
The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium is located in Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India. It was founded in 2008 and named after the freedom fighter Veer Narayan Singh. The stadium has a seating capacity of over 65,000 spectators, making it one of the largest cricket grounds in India.
The ground is known for its lush green outfield and excellent playing surface, which has hosted various domestic and international cricket matches, including IPL matches. The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium is a state-of-the-art facility and is equipped with modern amenities, including floodlights, dressing rooms, and a media center, making it a popular venue for cricket enthusiasts.
5. Perth Stadium, Australia | Capacity 60,000
Perth Stadium is a modern multi-purpose stadium located in Perth, Western Australia. The stadium was opened in 2018 and replaced the previous WACA Ground as the home of cricket in Western Australia. It has a seating capacity of over 60,000 and is designed to provide an exceptional fan experience, with excellent sightlines and amenities.
It features a state-of-the-art playing surface, which can be converted from cricket to Australian rules football and soccer. Perth Stadium has already hosted several high-profile cricket matches, including the Perth Test match and a number of Big Bash League games.
6. Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, India | Capacity 55,000
The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, also known as the Uppal Stadium, is a cricket ground located in Hyderabad, India. It was named after the former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, and was established in 2003. The stadium has a seating capacity of over 55,000 spectators.
It is home to the Hyderabad Cricket Association, which hosts various domestic and international cricket matches. The stadium has also hosted many IPL (Indian Premier League) matches and was one of the venues for the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium is known for its excellent facilities and world-class infrastructure, making it a popular venue for cricket lovers around the world.
7. Adelaide Oval, Australia | Capacity: 50,000
Adelaide Oval is a historic cricket ground located in Adelaide, South Australia. It was established in 1871 and has since undergone several renovations and upgrades. With a seating capacity of over 50,000 spectators, Adelaide Oval is one of the largest cricket grounds in Australia. It has hosted many significant cricket matches over the years, including Ashes Tests and World Cup matches.
The ground is known for its picturesque setting, with the St Peter’s Cathedral and Adelaide Hills in the background, and its unique features, such as the historic scoreboard and the Moreton Bay fig trees. Adelaide Oval has undergone significant redevelopment in recent years, including the construction of a new Western Grandstand and a state-of-the-art media center, further enhancing its reputation as a world-class cricketing venue.
8. Greenfield International Stadium, India | Capacity: 50,000
The Greenfield International Stadium is located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. It is one of the newest cricket grounds in India, founded in 2015. The stadium has a seating capacity of over 50,000 spectators.
The Greenfield International Stadium is known for its state-of-the-art facilities, including a modern pavilion, media center, and floodlights. The ground is also equipped with a subsurface drainage system, which allows for quick and efficient rainwater drainage, ensuring minimal disruption to play during wet weather conditions. The stadium’s unique features, including its distinctive architecture and picturesque setting, make it a popular destination for cricket enthusiasts.
9. SCG, Sydney, Australia | Capacity: 44,000
The green tiled roof and Sir Don’s 452 not outscoring have made the Sydney Cricket Ground one of the cricketing bucket list items. Built in 1848, the stadium is home to the New South Wales Blues cricket team and the Sydney Sixers, and also the Sydney Roosters national rugby team. Used for Tests, ODI, and Twenty20, the SCG was the venue for the fifth Ashes Test match where Australia became the first team to achieve an Ashes Series whitewash in 86 years. Before majoring in cricket, the stadium was a major rugby league venue in Australia.
10. Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi, India | Capacity: 40,000
Established in 1883, Feroz Shah Kotla stadium is the oldest stadium after Eden Gardens of Kolkata and has witnessed a similar amount of cricketing history in the long run. It is home to IPL’s Delhi Daredevils, the national team hasn’t been beaten here for more than 20 years with the support of thousands of cheering fans, intimidating any opposing team on the ground. England, under whose rule this stadium was built, has quite fittingly performed well in the stadium too.
11. Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka | Capacity: 35,000
Situated near the 16th century Dutch Galle Fort and surrounded by the Ocean, this Sri Lankan cricket ground is clearly the most picturesque in the world with some gorgeous throughout the day. The stadium, also known as The Esplanade, is situated in Galle, Sri Lanka and it was originally built as a race course in 1876. The stadium is considered to be the luckiest stadium for the Sri Lankan team but the original stadium was almost destroyed unluckily by the 2004 tsunami. With extensive reconstruction, this stadium remains one of the largest in capacity and in spirit too.
12. Lord’s, London | Capacity: 28,000
Certainly, the most famous and respected stadium, if not the largest, in the cricketing world, Lord’s legacy is more than 200 years old. Lord’s is home for Middlesex County Cricket Club, the England and Wales Cricket Board, and the European Cricket Council as well as a host for the Ashes Urn. From the Victorian pavilion to the Honors Board, this stadium offers picturesque old-timely views that can be enjoyed with some English lunch at the Lord’s Tavern.
13. Edgbaston, Birmingham | Capacity: 25,000
The turf at Warwickshire County Club in Birmingham is the second biggest cricketing venue in the UK after Lord’s. Edgbaston is frequently used for Test matches, One Day Internationals, and Twenty20 Internationals and the turnout is huge for home team matches. One example is Brian Lara’s historic world-record score of 501 not out, the most impressive in the stadium’s 133-year history. Geographically and otherwise, the ground is the least disturbed by rains compared to others, with the pitch delaying less than 90 minutes of the game instead of many hours.
14. HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala, India | Capacity: 25,000
Built-in the hometown of the Dalai Lama, this aesthetic stadium is the highest stadium above sea level in the world and sits on a backdrop of peaceful and mighty Himalayas. The stadium is 5,000 ft above sea level and is pretty young at a decade, compared to other stadiums on the list. It is home to the state team and also hosts a number of Indian Premier League (IPL) matches yearly.
15. Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa | Capacity: 25,000
Sitting in the shadow of Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak, South Africa’s Newlands stadium hosts international and local matches alike with its moderately high capacity of 25,000. It is currently home to the Cape Cobras but several international matches and Tests have been held here, usually giving advantage to the South African cricket team to win. The first Test match was played here in 1889 and since then the stadium has gone through a few facelifts and reconstructions.
16. The Oval, London | Capacity: 23,500
Considered as the birthplace of the Ashes, the Oval was built in 1845 for the Surrey County Cricket Club, and in 1880 it became the first ground to host an international Test match. A long history in the simultaneous evolution of cricket and the stadium is evident for the regular players; floodlights replacing the original gas lamps, Test matches, traditional play, and fish %%& chips after every match, all of these have made their way into the English cricket culture and the stadium is a big part of it.
17. Ageas Bowl, Southampton | Capacity: 20,000
The legendary Ageas Bowl (previously known as the Rose Bowl) was built in 2001 and is the home of Hampshire County Cricket Club. With a great ground and atmosphere for the summers, in the suburbs, this stadium gained a substantial reputation at a young age and also hosted the Inaugural Test Match against Sri Lanka in 2011. It is also commercialized with surrounding eateries, bars, and even a Hilton hotel on its campus.
18. Headingley, Leeds Capacity | 17,000
Headingley is home to the Yorkshire County Cricket Club for more than 120 years and the stadium is next to another eponymous rugby stadium. The cricket ground has witnessed many iconic moments in the sport like Sir Don’s two triple centuries and is also famous for its loud enthusiastic fans. To contain such cheering spectators and contain an expansive sporting epicenter, there are plans for renovation and reconstruction to increase capacity to 20,000, and more in the next two decades.
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As opposed to cricket stadiums, football, and rugby stadiums are greater in size and can contain a huge amount of crowd at once. Mainly because cricket stadiums tend to be circular while football stadiums are longer and even taller in structure.
