Top 10 unknown facts about Narendra Modi Stadium: Everything you need to know

The spectacle that is the Narendra Modi Stadium, after its exorbitant makeover, has become the world’s largest cricket stadium. Another feather in the cap of India’s rich possessions, the cricket stadium hosted the opening match of the ICC World Cup 2023. 

The stadium will also hold key matches like India vs. Pakistan and Australia vs. England. Then the final of the ICC World Cup 2023 will also be played at this magnificent venue on November 19.

But the biggest hype for the World Cup is about India vs Pakistan match which the Narendra Modi stadium will host on October 14, 2023. More than 120,000 fans are expected to fill the stadium to witness the most exciting rivalry in international cricket. 

With that in consideration, here are 10 unknown facts about the Narendra Modi stadium:

1. Named after current PM Narendra Modi

The stadium has been named after the current Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. The stadium was inaugurated by Ram Nath Kovind, the president of India. The first event to happen at the venue was the “Namaste Trump” event featuring then-US President Donald Trump.

2. World’s largest cricket stadium and the second-largest stadium in the world

The Narendra Modi Stadium is the largest cricket stadium in the world. It is also the largest sporting stadium in terms of seating capacity, which is 130,000. It left the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) behind to become the largest stadium in the cricketing world. 

3. Built at the same venue as previous Sardar Patel Stadium

The current Narendra Modi Stadium is built on the same site as the previous Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera. The iconic Sardar Patel Stadium stood from 1982-2015 and was renovated in 2006. It served as the main venue of domestic, and international cricket in the city till 2015, It hosted some matches during the 1987, 1996, and 2011 ICC World Cups. 

4. Replaced the old stadium as GCA wanted a bigger arena

The Narendra Modi Stadium replaced the Sardar Patel Stadium as the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) wanted to build a bigger state-of-the-art facility for cricket. The Narendra Modi stadium was designed by Australia's design firm Populous and built by Larsen and Toubro. The stadium is built on 63 acres of land and has three entry points, with a metro line at one of the entry points.

5. Amazing playing facilities for players and fans

The Narendra Modi stadium has the best and latest facilities for both players and fans. The stadium premises have many facilities. It has an indoor cricket practice area, badminton and tennis courts, a Squash, and table tennis area, a 3D projector theater, and three practice grounds. 10,000 two-wheelers and 3,000 vehicles can fit in the parking lot. It includes a sizable ramp built to allow for the simultaneous movement of about 60,000 people.

6. Largest seating capacity in the world with a capacity of 130,000 spectators

With a 130,000 seating capacity, the Narendra Modi stadium is the largest in the world. It left behind the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, in North Korea, which seats 115,000 spectators. The Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia is the second-largest cricket stadium with a capacity of 100, 024 spectators.

7. Time and amount spent to build the new stadium

The old Sardar Patel Stadium was demolished in 2015 and work began on the new stadium. The final cost was reported at ₹800 crore (US$100 million). The redevelopment, originally planned to be completed in 2019, finished in February 2020. It was built by Larsen and Toubro and designed by  

8. Hosted its first international match in February 2021 at the new stadium

The first international cricket match to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium was a T20I between India and England in February 2021. Unfortunately, due to the Covid pandemic’s second wave at that time, the match was played behind closed doors. The arena is scheduled to host 5 matches of the ICC World Cup 2023, including the first and the final game, high-profile India vs Pakistan, and Australia vs England games.

9. Has 76 corporate boxes, 55-room clubhouse, Olympic-size pool

It has 76 corporate boxes that can hold 25 persons each, 4 dressing rooms, a 55-room clubhouse, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. A food court and hospitality area are available in each spectator stand, and the premises of the stadium have a cricket academy and practice pitches. Australia's design firm Populous

10. Unique lighting system for a stadium instead of floodlight towers

One of the most unique features of the Narendra Modi Stadium is that it has ditched the conventional floodlight towers for something new. Instead of the four towers, the stadium has LED lights installed alongside the roof’s edge which illuminates the entire ground. The 360° latest LED lights system, is fitted on a ring on the inside edge of the roof, thus shadows don't form on the ground. 

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