Varanasi Cricket Stadium
Varanasi International Cricket Stadium is a currently in-construction cricket stadium in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It's expected to be completed by January 2026. The venue will have a seating capacity of 30,000 spectators which can be extended up to 40,000. Upon completion, it will be the fifth international cricket stadium in Uttar Pradesh after Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, Greater Noida and Saifai International Cricket Stadium in Etawah.
Overview and design
As the venue is located in the holy city of Varanasi, its architectural design will draw inspiration from Lord Shiva, featuring distinctive elements like trident-shaped floodlights, crescent-shaped roof covers, ghat-steps like seating arrangements, Bilva-patra shaped metallic sheets on the facade and the media center will be shaped like a Damaru.The venue will have a capacity of 30,000 spectators which could be expandable up to 40,000. The venue will also have 9 practice wickets in the main ground, advanced drainage system, one outdoor ground, sufficient parking space, a VVIP or VIP zone on the second floor of the south pavilion
Development
It was announced in April 2023 that Varanasi will get a International cricket stadium. In August 2023, Larsen and Toubro wins bid to construct the stadium.The Government of Uttar Pradesh acquired a land beside Ring Road Phase-2 in the Rajatalab area at a cost of for the stadium, while the construction cost is estimated to be.
On 23 September 2023, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the stadium in the presence of cricket veterans like Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri and Dilip Vengsarkar, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, key officials of BCCI like Roger Binny, Rajeev Shukla, Jay Shah and many others. The stadium is expected to be completed by January 2026.