In a plan that could see Mumbai’s cricketing action move away from the iconic Wankhede Stadium, the city is set to build a new cricket stadium that will rival the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, regain the status as the country’s cricket capital, and host the biggest games in the sport. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is planning to build a new stadium within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
A statement by the cricket’s governing body in the city has revealed that Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis is himself leading the effort to build the new stadium in the city. MCA President Ajinkya Naik and Shri Vijay Singhal,
Managing Director of CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra) met and held ‘detailed discussions to chart the roadmap for this landmark infrastructure project.’
It has been revealed that the new stadium will have a capacity of 100,000 people, which will make it one of the largest cricket stadiums in the world.
‘Designed as a state-of-the-art facility, the project aims to set new benchmarks in sporting infrastructure, fan experience, and integrated urban development. The stadium is expected to serve as a catalyst for sports tourism, attract marquee international events, and enhance the region’s global sporting footprint. Positioned as a flagship project for the state, the development aligns with the broader vision of nurturing future talent, strengthening grassroots cricket, and creating world-class platforms for athletes, the MCA statement explained.
“This initiative marks a defining moment for Maharashtra’s sporting ecosystem. A 1 lakh capacity stadium in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region will not only elevate Mumbai cricket but also firmly position Maharashtra on the global sporting map. This world-class infrastructure will create unparalleled opportunities for player development, provide critical exposure to emerging talent, and strengthen the cricketing ecosystem across all levels,” said MCA chief Ajinyka Naik.
In another interaction with News18Naik stated that the stadium will be built in the Navi Mumbai region.
“Navi Mumbai is an upcoming, rapidly developing area with excellent connectivity and proximity to the airport. It’s the perfect place to build a world-class stadium of this capacity. Work on the stadium should start after six months. We need a six-month window for process, planning and design before implementation,” said Naik.
For those unversed, since hosting the 2011 World Cup final, the Wankhede Stadium has not hosted the final of any ICC event. Kolkata’s Eden Gardens hosted the 2016 T20 World Cup’s final, while Ahmedabad was awarded the final of both the 2023 World Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, with a capacity of over a lakh people, is the world’s largest cricket stadium, which Mumbai’s new planned stadium is aiming to match. As far as Wankhede is concerned, it is a venue with rich history and arguably the best atmosphere in the country, but the seating capacity (around 33,000) is far below most venues in the country.
Mumbai already has three Test venues, which is the joint-most in a city around the world. Besides the Wankhede and Brabourne Stadiums, the Gymkhana club hosted India’s first-ever Test match in 1934. Furthermore, the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai has hosted several women’s international matches across all three formats, including the semi-final and final of the recently concluded Women’s World Cup.
