Not only is cricket one of the oldest sports in the world, it is also one of the most popular. With more than 100 countries involved in cricket, it is one of the most played and watched sports in countries like India, England, Australia, and South Africa.
Stadiums are the temples of sports. Where emotions run high and excitement is the order of the day. There is nothing quite like watching a cricket match in a packed stadium with fans cheering on every run and wicket.
There are some massive cricket stadiums in the world, one of which can hold more than 100,000 spectators. Here is a list of the five biggest cricket stadiums in the world.
Adelaide Oval – Australia
Image source: adelaideoval.co.au
Capacity: 55,000
The Adelaide Oval is one of the most iconic stadiums in the world. Predominantly used for cricket and
Aussie Rules Football, it comfortably seats 55,000 spectators and can squeeze more in to suit demand.
Although mainly used for cricket and football, the stadium also hosts rugby, soccer,
tennis and
boxing matches, as well as world-class concerts.
The record cricket attendance at the stadium is 55,317 for the second Ashes Test on 2 December 2017, while its record Aussie Rules attendance sits at 62,543 which dates all the way back to 1965, where Port Adelaide took on Sturt in the SANFL Grand Final. When American singer, Adele, toured Australia in 2017, she managed to draw a crowd of 70,000 – outselling Ed Sheeran and the Rolling Stones.
Perth Stadium – Australia
Image source: youtube.com
Capacity: 60,000
Perth Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Western Australia and is the third largest sports stadium in Australia.
The world-class, multi-purpose stadium which only opened in 2019, hosts a variety of sports and entertainment events including Aussie Rules Football, International and Big Bash cricket, soccer, rugby, and concerts.
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With dazzling light displays and sweeping aerial shots of the stadium taking place before the start of most matches, the Perth Stadium creates an incredible atmosphere that draws in massive crowds and leaves both fans and players with an unforgettable experience.
During Ed Sheeran’s tour of Australia, the Perth Stadium accommodated over 114,000 people, almost 60,000 more than when Eminem toured. The highest attended sports fixture saw 59,608 spectators flock to the stadium to watch the West Coast Eagles take on the Melbourne Football Club in the 2018 AFL finals.
Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium – India
Image source: sportsmatik.com
Capacity: 65,000
Opened in 2008, the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium is located in Chattisgarh, India, and serves as the home ground to IPL side the Delhi Daredevils (now the Delhi Capitals).
Although it is the second biggest stadium in India, it only hosted its first match in 2010, when the Canadian National Cricket team played a practice match against the Chattisgarh State Team. It wasn’t until 2013 when the stadium was named as an additional venue for the Indian Premier League.
In 2014, the stadium hosted eight T20 matches of the 2014 Champions League Twenty20. The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium has received a ton of praise from international cricket legends including Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan.
Eden Gardens – India
Image source: icc-cricket.com
Capacity: 68,000
Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, is the second largest cricket stadium in the world and the oldest in India. It is home to two-time IPL Champions, the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Widely acknowledged as one of the most iconic stadiums in the world, Eden Gardens is referred to as the “home of cricket” in India. It has played host to all major tournaments including three Cricket World Cups, the T20 World Cup, and the Asia Cup.
The first ever Test match played at Eden Gardens was played all the way back in 1934 between India and England. Since then, it has become one of the grounds that every international cricket player wishes to play at.
Melbourne Cricket Ground – Australia
Image source: bayviewhotel.com
Capacity: 100,024
Not only is the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) the biggest cricket stadium in the world, but it is the 10
th biggest stadium in the world.
The stadium, which has the tallest light pylons in the world, hosted the first ever Test match and first ever One Day International, both of which were played between Australia and England in 1877 and 1971 respectively.
While the name might suggest that the stadium is reserved solely for cricket, that isn’t case. The MCG has played host to several sports including football, rugby (league and union), lacrosse, and tennis as well as a number of concerts including Eminem, Guns N’ Roses and The Killers.
The MCG has been host to two Cricket World Cup finals in 1992 and 2015.
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