Karnataka's New 80,000-Seat Stadium: India's Next Cricket Cathedral?
If the plans on paper become real walls and seats, Bengaluru will soon host India's second-biggest cricket stadium after Gujarat's Narendra Modi Stadium.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday, May 23, laid the foundation stone for an international-standard cricket stadium and sports complex at Suryanagar Fourth Stage Extension in Indlavadi village, Anekal taluk, Bengaluru Urban district, according to Deccan Herald, IANS and New Kerala.
Key Project Details
Location: Suryanagar Fourth Stage Extension, Indlavadi village, Anekal taluk, Bengaluru Urban district
Land area: 75 acres
Seating capacity: 80,000 (cricket)
Cost: Around Rs 2,350 crore (estimated)
Funding: Karnataka Housing Board (KHB)
Other features: Facilities for 24 indoor/outdoor sports; 3,000-seat auditorium
Location and Access — What to Know
Anekal taluk is on the south-eastern fringe of Bengaluru Urban district. Distance from Kempegowda International Airport is roughly 60-70 km, depending on the exact site within Anekal. Distance from MG Road / central Bengaluru is roughly 30-40 km. Anekal is currently served by road; metro extensions and rail connectivity to the wider Electronic City-Hosur corridor are at various planning stages. Match-day traffic and last-mile transport will be a key infrastructure question.
How It Compares to Other Indian Cricket Stadiums
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad seats approximately 1,32,000. The proposed Anekal Stadium in Bengaluru would seat 80,000, making it India's second-largest. Eden Gardens in Kolkata seats approximately 68,000; MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai seats approximately 50,000; and the current M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru seats approximately 38,000.
Why Bengaluru Cricket Needs This
International-level cricket has not been played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium since June 4, 2025, when a stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL-victory celebrations claimed 11 lives, according to multiple Indian media reports. The Justice John Michael Cunha Commission, which investigated the incident, recommended relocating major events to "better-suited" venues. Relations between the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and the state government have been strained since, according to Deccan Herald and ESPNcricinfo. The new stadium is positioned as a long-term answer to that gap.
Open Questions
Operations and ownership have not yet been clearly stated — KHB is funding the project, but who will own, operate and earn revenue from the stadium remains unclear. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) and viability study are pending; the Cabinet has directed preparation of the DPR. Environmental clearances for 75 acres of land use will require careful scrutiny, especially on water and green cover. With Mysuru and Tumakuru stadiums also planned, how matches will be distributed remains to be seen. No official construction timeline has been announced; stadium projects in India have historically taken 3-6 years.
FAQ
Q1. Where exactly is the new stadium being built? At Suryanagar Fourth Stage Extension, Indlavadi village, Anekal taluk, on the south-eastern edge of Bengaluru Urban district.
Q2. When will the stadium be ready? No official timeline has been announced. The DPR and viability study are still being prepared.
Q3. How will it compare to existing Indian stadiums? At 80,000 seats, it will be India's second-largest cricket stadium, after Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium.
Q4. Who will own and operate the new stadium? This has not yet been formally clarified by the state government.
Sources
Deccan Herald, IANS, New Kerala, ESPNcricinfo, Karnataka government press releases, Justice John Michael Cunha Commission report.
Bottom line: A foundation stone is the easy part. The harder questions — traffic, cost, environment, ownership and scheduling — start now. If the project delivers on its 80,000-seat promise, southern Indian cricket gets a new home.
Last updated: May 24, 2026 — 3:00 p.m. IST