Why are Delhi Capitals playing some of their home games in Vizag?

The T20 cricket fever in India has already gripped the fans as the IPL 2025 (Indian Premier League) unfolds. Franchise Delhi Capitals (DC) are set to start their campaign against the Lucknow Super Giants at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam (Vizag) on Monday, March 24. Interestingly, the upcoming IPL game will mark a significant moment for the Capitals as they will be playing at their secondary home ground.

Under the new leadership of Axar Patel, Delhi will look to start in a positive manner with some familiar faces, albeit, in new jerseys, such as KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, who have crossed sides. Fans will hope for an electrifying start in the beautiful city, after DC's disappointing IPL season last year.

Interestingly the decision to play in Vizag continued in 2025 as well but remains unexplained by the Delhi Capitals team management. However, the question still arises among fans—why will DC be playing some home matches away from home? Let's find out!

IPL vs WPL venue dilemma

Delhi Capitals chose Visakhapatnam as their second home ground primarily due to scheduling conflicts with their original home ground, Arun Jaitley Stadium, in Delhi. Notably, during the IPL 2024 season, the venue was set to host the Women's Premier League (WPL 2024) final, which overlapped with the early stages of the IPL season.

Due to this unavailability, the franchise was forced to find an alternative venue where the team could play its home matches without disruption. As a result, Visakhapatnam emerged as a suitable option without causing logistical issues.

World-Class facilities of venue

The Delhi franchise chose the ACA-VDCA Stadium mainly due to its top-notch facilities for hosting high-profile cricket matches. This ensured that the facilities were not only good for players but also for spectators. The Vizag stadium boasts a seating capacity of 30,000, and a slightly smaller crowd means fans will be more intensely involved in the game while backing their favourite IPL franchise.

Furthermore, the pitch and playing conditions are conducive to entertaining T20 cricket, ensuring an even contest between bat and ball. This decision guarantees that fans will witness and experience top-quality cricket during Delhi's home matches. So far, Vizag has hosted 15 IPL matches, out of which two games were played during the 2023-2024 span. Moreover, out of these fixtures, DC have played 7 matches at this fantastic venue.

Also Check- IPL 2025: DC vs LSG, Match 4 - Top player battles to watch out for

Fan base expansion

Interestingly, by playing in Visakhapatnam, Delhi Capitals also have a strategic motive in mind. By adopting a new home ground, DC aims to expand its fan base in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Over the years, the league has promoted cricket across lesser-known regions in India by scheduling matches in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.

Utilizing this beautiful city as their new home aligns with Delhi's vision of promoting the sport across India. Moreover, this move will help DC foster local fan support, increase engagement, and build loyalty among fans who have yet to experience a live IPL match. Ultimately, this will enhance the franchise's branding.

Conclusion

To sum up, Delhi Capitals' decision to adopt Visakhapatnam as their new home is a strategic move driven by the above-mentioned factors. It is also a step towards expanding their fan base into new territories in India.