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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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