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.
Location: Rourkela, Odisha.Year of Construction: 2023Capacity: 20,000Surface Type: Astroturf (FIH approved)Accessibility: Chhend main road (6+ stadium gates)Architectural Style: Modern-ContemporaryMajor Events: Hockey India League, National Championships, & FIH Pro League Matches.Popular Events: World Cup 2023 India vs SpainFacilities: Fully-equipped dressing room, sauna, practice pitch, fitness center, swimming pool, and six spacious parking lots.Floodlight Type: SPL Series
Location: Bhubaneswar, OdishaYear of Construction: 2010Capacity: 16,000Surface Type: Blue synthetic turfAccessibility: Chennai-Kolkata Highway, Gate No.9Architectural Style: Modern AestheticMajor 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 areasFloodlight Type: MECREE LED – SPL series
Location: Mohali, PunjabYear of Construction: 2013Capacity: 13,600Surface 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 TeamsFacilities: 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
Location: Chennai, TamilNaduYear of Construction: 1995Rebuilt Year: 2005Capacity: 8670Surface Type: Synthetic turf (FIH approved)Accessibility: Pantheon Road 2nd LaneArchitectural Style: ContemporaryMajor Events: 1996 Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy, 2005 Hockey Champions Trophy, 2007 Men’s Hockey Asia CupFacilities: Rooms for Players, Physiotherapy, Medical and Officials, Conference Room, VIP Lounge.Floodlight Type: FIH Standard Floodlight
Location: New DelhiYear of Construction: 1933Capacity: 16,200Surface Type: Polygrass turfAccessibility: Purana Quila Road and India Gate CirArchitectural Style: Pre-ModernistMajor Events: Hockey India League, National Championships, & FIH Pro League Matches.Popular Events: World CupFacilities: Change rooms, relaxation lounges, VVIP lounge, and a few more.Floodlight Type: Foldable floodlight towers
Location: New DelhiYear of Construction: 1964Rebuilt Year: 2008Capacity: 5,500Surface Type: Synthetic turfAccessibility: Purana Quila Road and India Gate CirArchitectural Style: Modern-ContemporaryMajor 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
Location: Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh.Year of Construction: 2014Capacity: 15,000Surface Type: AstroturfAccessibility: Gaurav Path RoadArchitectural Style: ContemporaryPopular Events: Exhibition Match, All India Hockey Tournaments.Facilities: well-equipped locker rooms, exclusive box, and a few more.
Location: Lucknow, Uttar PradeshYear of Construction: 1964Capacity: 10,000Surface Type: Synthetic turfAccessibility: Kursi Road, and Guru Govind Singh Sports College Road.Architectural Style: Modern-ContemporaryMajor Events: National-level hockey tournaments and championships.Facilities: Changing rooms, washroom, and a few more.Floodlight Type: FIH Standard Floodlight
Location: Rourkela, Odisha.Year of Construction: 1998Capacity: 15,000Surface Type: AstroturfAccessibility: Hockey Stadium Road, Rourkela.Architectural Style: Modern-ContemporaryMajor Events: Hockey India League, National Championships, & FIH Pro League Matches.Popular Events: World Hockey Junior World CupFacilities: changing rooms, first aid rooms, canteen, VIP galleries, and a few moreFloodlight Type: PLC series, polarized light 73°
Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka.Year of Construction: 1900Rebuilt Year: 2011Capacity: 7000Surface Type: Synthetic turfAccessibility: Langford RoadArchitectural Style: VernacularMajor Events: World Series Hockey 2012, Hockey India LeagueFacilities: Hostel rooms, clubhouse, and a few more.Floodlight Type: High mast lights
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
Located in the coastal village of Pererenan, Bali, House Terra is a contemporary response to tropical living, designed by Biombo Architects as a family retreat. The project balances built space and landscape, creating a strong connection between architecture and nature while offering shelter from the island’s monsoon climate. Editor’s Note: “House Terra, more than a […]
Located on a 15′ x 95′ ancestral plot in a pal village, Surat, India, this residence is designed for a multi-generational family of seven. This minimal home interior design solves light and space challenges within a narrow plot. The family wanted to stay connected with their community and preserve their cultural roots. The site has […]
“The sky’s ever-changing canvas, painted with hues of blues at dawn and greys and blacks at dusk, seamlessly weaves itself into the very fabric of this home’s architecture and interior.” Located in a comparatively narrow lane of bungalow plots, this modern exterior house design borrows its modern straight-line form and color from the sky. A […]
Timeless architectural features, such as courtyards, are always associated with bringing the naturally public forms to the world’s heart, building the most peaceful, secluded outdoor areas. These outdoor spaces maximize the living experience with their private space feature, which gives one the option for leisurely relaxation, recreation, or gardening. Furthermore, it has also been a […]
The residence is sensitively designed and compatible with the neighborhood. Distinct from neighboring structures, the building creates a strong relationship to the streets by virtue of its large windows in facades. While there are dramatic and larger scale elements that define the building, it is also broken down into comprehensible human scale blocks with an […]
This contemporary residence, covering 7500 square feet, combines modern design with timeless elegance to create a peaceful and luxurious retreat within a busy urban environment. The home is built around large frames that open up to nature, blending the interior with its surroundings. The design focuses on craftsmanship and harmony, making the simple contemporary house […]
Imagine walking into a sunlit room with high ceilings, warm wooden floors, and a view of a leafy courtyard. How do you feel? Calm? Inspired? At ease? That’s not just your mood—it’s your brain responding to the space around you. Neuroarchitecture is an evolving domain that merges the understanding of neuroscience, psychology, and architecture to […]
Architecture is more than just the construction of buildings, it is a reflection of our values, art, culture, and society. It is a movement towards new, promising, and philosophical design strategies. One such movement that significantly influenced the architectural landscape is Postmodernism architecture. In this research article, readers will find a comprehensive guide for Postmodernism […]
Mango Tree House is an artfully designed personal residence that seamlessly integrates traditional architectural elements with the comforts of modern living, embodying the essence of traditional modern home design. Some houses are more than just structures; they hold stories, memories, and a deep connection to the land. Mango Tree House is one such space—one that […]
What if the home of the future didn’t have walls? Modern architecture homes aren’t just about aesthetics – it’s a rebellion. A conscious break from tradition. In a world obsessed with innovation, our homes are becoming laboratories of design, sustainability, and radical thought. Modern architecture homes are sharp-edged, glass-wrapped, tech-infused sanctuaries that defy the standard. […]