Narendra Modi Stadium

Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

  • Typologies

    Stadiums

  • Building Activities

    Cricket

  • Services

    Master Planning, Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Wayfinding

  • Completion

    2020

Populous designed the world’s largest cricket stadium, Narendra Modi Stadium, previously referred to as Motera Cricket Stadium; in Ahmedabad, India. The project is home to the Gujarat Cricket Association and was built in collaboration with India’s top contractor Larsen & Toubro.

CHALLENGE. Spread across 63 acres, the 110,000 seat stadium more than doubles the capacity of the old stadium and holds 10,000 more people than Australia’s iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. The sheer scale of the project presented its own challenge in providing each and every one of the 110,000 seats with full unobstructed views of the field. Another challenge for the design team was the tight timeframe. Despite its size, the stadium will be constructed within three years. It includes 76 corporate boxes, four team dressing rooms and facilities, state-of-the-art club facilities with three practice grounds, an indoor cricket academy and an Olympic-size swimming pool.

INNOVATION. Every one of the 110,000 seats has uninterrupted sightlines of the field and pitch and with a deliberate round, open stadium providing 360-degree views that ensures the spectator feels like they’re a part of what’s happening.

Drawing on our expertise with cricket and major sports venues around the world, the bowl design consists of two large seating tiers, each with approximately 50,000 general admission seats, designed to fill the lower levels for smaller events and still bring that sense of occasion, the sight and the sound to make every experience a special one.

Narendra Modi Stadium’s pedestrian flow is also innovative with all vehicular movement on the ground level while pedestrian movement occurs on a level above, ensuring clear segregation to limit congestion. General spectators approach from the North side of the stadium, entering on the first floor via a 12 metre high ramp, which creates a fantastic plaza for fans.

IMPACT. Narendra Modi Stadium will not only be for major local and international cricket matches, it will also be for the community use. A community indoor cricket academy will be housed under the podium in the stadium, with a dormitory for up to 40 athletes, allowing students from across India and the globe to attend. The academy also has access to six indoor practice pitches and three outdoor practice fields.

The stadium will become one of the world’s greatest cricket stadiums, putting the Gujarat Cricket Association on the global sporting map as an iconic sports venue for both aspiring and elite players.

  • Designer's Vision, Aerial View of Masterplan
  • Designer's Vision, Hall of Fame
  • Designer's Vision, Pitch to VIP Suite