Narendra Modi Stadium

The Narendra Modi Stadium is a cricket stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, located within the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Complex. With a seating capacity of 132,000, it is recognized as the world's largest cricket stadium. The present stadium was completely rebuilt between 2015 and 2020 and reopened in 2021, replacing the former Sardar Patel Stadium that had occupied the site.

The venue has a long history in international cricket. The original stadium hosted its first Test between India and the West Indies in November 1983. It later witnessed several significant milestones, including Sunil Gavaskar becoming the first batter to score 10,000 Test runs in March 1987 and Kapil Dev taking his 432nd Test wicket in February 1994 to surpass Richard Hadlee's previous record.

The ground also hosted matches during the 1987, 1996 and 2011 Cricket World Cups. Following its reconstruction, the stadium hosted its first Test in February 2021, when India faced England in a day-night match played with a pink ball.

History

Formerly known as Gujarat Stadium, it was renamed in tribute to Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel, India's first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. In 1982, the Government of Gujarat donated 100-acres of land on the banks of the Sabarmati River to build a new stadium. The construction was completed within nine months and hosted its first ODI in 1984 – 1985 played between Australia-India, where India was defeated by Australia.

The stadium became the centerpiece of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2006 and hosted five of the 15 matches which were played here. To host the tournament, the stadium was renovated to add three new pitches and a new outfield. Floodlights and covered stands were introduced to the stadium as a part of the renovation program.

In 2015, the Gujarat Cricket Association approved a complete reconstruction of the Sardar Patel Stadium under the leadership of its then president, Narendra Modi, with the objective of creating the world's largest cricket stadium. The existing stadium was demolished in October 2015 to make way for the new structure. The reconstruction was initially estimated to cost approximately ₹700 crore, while the final reported cost was around ₹800 crore. The project was originally targeted for completion in 2019 but was ultimately completed in February 2020.

The Stadium has always been one of the leading venues, whenever India has hosted the Cricket World Cup, including the first match of the 1996 World Cup which was played between England and New Zealand. Although only one game was played in 1987 and 1996, but later, in 2011 World Cup, it has hosted three matches, including the quarter-final between Australia and India. Before its reconstruction, the former Sardar Patel Stadium hosted 10 Test matches, 23 ODIs and 1 men's T20I. Since reopening as the Narendra Modi Stadium in 2021, the venue has hosted 4 Tests, 17 ODIs and 14 men's T20Is as of October 2026.

The president Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the stadium in the presence of home minister Amit Shah and sports minister Kiren Rijiju, amongst a host of other dignitaries on 24th February, 2021.

 “As children, we used to dream about the world’s largest stadium in India. And now as sports minister, my happiness knows no bounds that this has finally happened,” said Rijiju at the inauguration ceremony.

Construction Details

• The Narendra Modi Stadium was designed by Populous, a global architecture and design practice specializing in sports and major venues, and constructed by Indian engineering and construction company Larsen & Toubro (L&T)
• The stadium's seating is arranged in lower and upper bowls. The upper structure is supported by distinctive Y-shaped perimeter columns, which connect to the primary radial beams supporting the roof structure.
• The stadium complex covers an area comparable to approximately 32 football pitches.
• The roof was one of the major structural challenges in the redevelopment of Motera Stadium. Walter P Moore served as the roof structural engineer and developed a lightweight, cable-supported tensile membrane system. According to Viral Patel, Director of Design at Walter P Moore, reducing the roof's weight was important because of the site's seismic considerations, helping to reduce seismic demand while providing an economical structural solution. The roof was also designed independently from the reinforced-concrete seating bowl, allowing the two structures to respond separately during seismic activity and improving the stadium's overall seismic performance.

Stadium Design and Facilities

• The Narendra Modi Stadium occupies approximately 63 acres and is accessible through multiple entry gates. The venue is also served by the Motera Stadium metro station, providing direct public-transport access to the stadium.
• The stadium's playing field measures approximately 160 metres by 140 metres (180 by 150 yards), The field shape is Oval and the Site area is 63 acres (25 ha)
• The Narendra Modi Stadium features 76 corporate boxes, each capable of accommodating up to 25 people. The complex also includes a 55-room clubhouse, an Olympic-size swimming pool and four dressing rooms for teams.
• The stadium features a lightweight, translucent, cable-supported tensile membrane roof made from PTFE-coated fiberglass, providing spectators with protection from sun and rain. Designed with structural engineering support from Walter P Moore, the roof is separated from the reinforced-concrete seating bowl to improve the stadium's seismic performance. Its column-free design also helps provide spectators with largely unobstructed sightlines across the playing field.
• The stadium complex also incorporates a range of sports and recreational facilities, including an Olympic-size swimming pool, an indoor cricket academy, badminton and tennis courts, squash courts, table tennis facilities and a clubhouse. The complex also includes practice grounds and accommodation facilities for players and other visitors.
• The stadium features a lightweight, translucent, cable-supported tensile membrane roof made from PTFE-coated fiberglass, providing spectators with protection from sun and rain. Designed with structural engineering support from Walter P Moore, the roof is separated from the reinforced-concrete seating bowl to improve the stadium's seismic performance. Its column-free design also helps provide spectators with largely unobstructed sightlines across the playing field.
• The stadium complex also incorporates a range of sports and recreational facilities, including an Olympic-size swimming pool, an indoor cricket academy, badminton and tennis courts, squash courts, table tennis facilities and a clubhouse. The complex also includes practice grounds and accommodation facilities for players and other visitors.
• There are four team dressing rooms with associated facilities for the players.
• The parking can accommodate 3,000 cars and 10,000 two-wheelers. A huge ramp has also been built at the Narendra Modi Stadium to facilitate the movement of about 60,000 people at a time. The stadium is designed in such a way that patrons fill the lower levels of the ground for smaller events to maintain a crowded atmosphere when not fully occupied. The stadium is served by the nearby Motera Stadium metro station; a dedicated skywalk connecting the station to the stadium was proposed to reduce road congestion.
• The Narendra Modi Stadium also supports activities beyond domestic and international cricket. Its complex includes an indoor cricket academy beneath the stadium podium, along with a hostel that can accommodate up to 40 athletes.
• The academy has six indoor practice pitches and three outdoor practice areas.

Stakeholders

• Project Manager – Rajiv Sharma
• Operator – Gujarat Cricket Association
• Tenants / Home teams – Gujarat Titans (2022–present), Gujarat cricket team (1983–present), Indian Cricket Team (1983–present), India women's national cricket team(2011-present), Rajasthan Royals (2010–2014)
• Architect – Populous (reconstruction) , Shashi Prabhu (Original Stadium)
• Constructor – Larsen & Toubro (L&T)

Statistics – Test

Statistics – ODI

Statistics – T20

Significant Events

• 1983 - The stadium was constructed and opened as the Gujarat Stadium/Motera Stadium
• 1987 - It hosted a Cricket World Cup match between Zimbabwe and India on 26 October. India won by seven wickets.
• 1987 - It hosted a Cricket World Cup match between Zimbabwe and India on 26 October. India won by seven wickets.
• 1987- Sunil Gavaskar became the first batter to score 10,000 Test runs, reaching the milestone against Pakistan at Ahmedabad in March.
• 1994 - Kapil Dev surpassed Richard Hadlee's then-world record of 431 Test wickets, taking his 432nd wicket at Ahmedabad. 
• 1996 - The venue hosted a match during the 1996 Cricket World Cup
• 1999- Sachin Tendulkar scored 217 against New Zealand at Ahmedabad, his first Test double-century
• 2011 - India defeated Australia by five wickets in the World Cup quarter-final at Ahmedabad. Sachin Tendulkar also reached 18,000 ODI runs during the match.
• 2015 - The old stadium was closed and demolished for complete reconstruction.
• 2020 February - Reconstruction of the new stadium was completed. 
• 2020 February  - The venue hosted the “Namaste Trump” event attended by U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 
• 2021 - The rebuilt stadium was officially renamed Narendra Modi Stadium on 24 February.
• 2021- Ishant Sharma played his 100th Test, becoming only the second Indian fast bowler after Kapil Dev to reach the milestone. President Ram Nath Kovind and Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented him with commemorative mementos.
• 2022-The IPL unveiled the world's largest cricket jersey at Narendra Modi Stadium during the IPL final. Measuring 66 × 42 metres, the white jersey featured the logos of the 10 IPL teams and the number 15, commemorating the league's 15th season. The achievement was recognised by Guinness World Records.