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10 Greatest Hockey Stadiums in India You Need To Know About

British Taught, India Conquered

Can you identify between a football and a hockey stadium? How many of you think that the two look alike? In India, there are many multipurpose sports facilities with varying field sizes. These versatile structures have spaces for athletes, football, hockey, and other activities. But since hockey is an Indian national sport, we need to be familiar with these incredible hockey arenas. Hockey stadiums in India date back to the Bengaluru Hockey Stadium in 1900 and include the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium (2018) in Rourkela.

Roots go back to the 16th century, from a crude form of sport in Egypt, the evolution of ‘hokie’ in 1527, and modern-day field hockey in the early 19th century. Britishers introduced field hockey to India, with the first club established in Calcutta in 1885–86, followed by Punjab and Bombay. India steamrolled from the 1926–56 Olympics with six consecutive gold medals and 24 successive matches. However, after independence, hockey didn’t gain as much popularity as cricket, including infrastructure, commercials, and passion.

Let us deep dive into some notable hockey stadiums in India throughout this blog.

Picture Credit: olympics.com

1) Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium

Location: Rourkela, Odisha.
Year of Construction: 2023
Capacity: 20,000
Surface Type: Astroturf (FIH approved)
Accessibility: Chhend main road (6+ stadium gates)
Architectural Style: Modern-Contemporary
Major Events: Hockey India League, National Championships, & FIH Pro League Matches.
Popular Events: World Cup 2023 India vs Spain
Facilities: Fully-equipped dressing room, sauna, practice pitch, fitness center, swimming pool, and six spacious parking lots.
Floodlight Type: SPL Series

Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium
Picture Credit: constructionworld.in

2) Kalinga Hockey Stadium

Location: Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Year of Construction: 2010
Capacity: 16,000
Surface Type: Blue synthetic turf
Accessibility: Chennai-Kolkata Highway, Gate No.9
Architectural Style: Modern Aesthetic
Major Events: Hockey Champions Trophy (2014), Men’s Hockey World Cup (2018)
Popular Events: Women’s Gold Cup (2019), Men’s FIH Pro League (2020)
Facilities: Changing rooms, media & press boxes, and VIP areas
Floodlight Type: MECREE LED – SPL series

Kalinga Hockey Stadium
Picture Credit: mecreeled.com

3) Mohali International Stadium

Location: Mohali, Punjab
Year of Construction: 2013
Capacity: 13,600
Surface Type: Astroturf pink-blue (8000/8 Texturized)
Accessibility: Sukhna Path and Mohali Stadium Road.
Architectural Style: Modern-Contemporary (giant, curved, cantilevered canopy)
Major Events: Hockey India League, National Championships, & FIH Pro League Matches.
Popular Events: India vs. International Teams
Facilities: Hi-tech changing room, first aid room, dope testing laboratory, restaurant, gym, canteen, fully computerized office and VVIP, and VIP galleries.
Floodlight Type: International Standard Series

Mohali International Stadium
Picture Credit: ahockeyworld.net

4) Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium

Location: Chennai, TamilNadu
Year of Construction: 1995
Rebuilt Year: 2005
Capacity: 8670
Surface Type: Synthetic turf (FIH approved)
Accessibility: Pantheon Road 2nd Lane
Architectural Style: Contemporary
Major Events: 1996 Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy, 2005 Hockey Champions Trophy, 2007 Men’s Hockey Asia Cup
Facilities: Rooms for Players, Physiotherapy, Medical and Officials, Conference Room, VIP Lounge.
Floodlight Type: FIH Standard Floodlight

Picture Credit: facebook.com

5) Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium (Delhi)

Location: New Delhi
Year of Construction: 1933
Capacity: 16,200
Surface Type: Polygrass turf
Accessibility: Purana Quila Road and India Gate Cir
Architectural Style: Pre-Modernist
Major Events: Hockey India League, National Championships, & FIH Pro League Matches.
Popular Events: World Cup
Facilities: Change rooms, relaxation lounges, VVIP lounge, and a few more.
Floodlight Type: Foldable floodlight towers

Picture Credit: indiatvnews.com

6) Shivaji Hockey Stadium

Location: New Delhi
Year of Construction: 1964
Rebuilt Year: 2008
Capacity: 5,500
Surface Type: Synthetic turf
Accessibility: Purana Quila Road and India Gate Cir
Architectural Style: Modern-Contemporary
Major Events: Home for Indian Women’s Hockey Team, Practice venue for 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Facilities: Changing rooms, physio rooms, washroom and a few more.
Floodlight Type: Four floodlights

Shivaji Hockey Stadium
Picture Credit: dailymail.co.in

7) Rajnandgaon International Hockey Stadium

Location: Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh.
Year of Construction: 2014
Capacity: 15,000
Surface Type: Astroturf
Accessibility: Gaurav Path Road
Architectural Style: Contemporary
Popular Events: Exhibition Match, All India Hockey Tournaments.
Facilities: well-equipped locker rooms, exclusive box, and a few more.

Picture Credit: rajnandgaon.nic.in

8) Major DhyanChand National Stadium (Lucknow)

Location: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Year of Construction: 1964
Capacity: 10,000
Surface Type: Synthetic turf
Accessibility: Kursi Road, and Guru Govind Singh Sports College Road.
Architectural Style: Modern-Contemporary
Major Events: National-level hockey tournaments and championships.
Facilities: Changing rooms, washroom, and a few more.
Floodlight Type: FIH Standard Floodlight

Picture Credit: commons.wikimedia.org

9) Biju Patnaik Hockey Stadium

Location: Rourkela, Odisha.
Year of Construction: 1998
Capacity: 15,000
Surface Type: Astroturf
Accessibility: Hockey Stadium Road, Rourkela.
Architectural Style: Modern-Contemporary
Major Events: Hockey India League, National Championships, & FIH Pro League Matches.
Popular Events: World Hockey Junior World Cup
Facilities: changing rooms, first aid rooms, canteen, VIP galleries, and a few more
Floodlight Type: PLC series, polarized light 73°

Picture Credit: wikipedia.com

10) Karnataka State Hockey Stadium

Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Year of Construction: 1900
Rebuilt Year: 2011
Capacity: 7000
Surface Type: Synthetic turf
Accessibility: Langford Road
Architectural Style: Vernacular
Major Events: World Series Hockey 2012, Hockey India League
Facilities: Hostel rooms, clubhouse, and a few more.
Floodlight Type: High mast lights

Picture Credit: bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com

India is home to some of the standout international hockey stadiums in the world. Each one plays a key role in the development of the national sport across the country. Hockey stadiums in India not only host leagues and tournaments but also contribute to nurturing local talents.

The Birsa Bunda International Stadium in Odisha stands out with its modern architectural elements, amenities, and significant seating capacity. It has been confirmed as the largest fully seated hockey stadium in the world with the Guinness Book of World Records. Kalinga, Mohali, and Rajnandgaon hockey stadiums contribute to the sport’s prominence in the country.

The Bengal Hockey Association, Biju Patnaik, Dhyan Chand, and Shivaji Hockey stadiums are historic venues with legacies rooted in India’s hockey culture. The Major Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai and Dhyan Chand Stadium in Lucknow play crucial roles in boosting high-profile events. Lastly, the Hockey Stadium in Bengaluru brings local talent around Karnataka and contributes to regional and national tournaments.

Collectively, these iconic stadiums of India represent the diversity and passion for national sport. Although it inspires a lot of young generational players, the comeback of the Hockey Indian League (HIL) would provide more exposure.

To all future Hockey Olympics, World Cups, and leagues,

CHAK DE INDIA!

Content Writing And Research By: Ar. Baarat Krishna

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