<p><em>A complete guide to the largest cricket venues by capacity, from Ahmedabad to Melbourne.</em></p> <p>Cricket does scale differently. When you actually look at the numbers, some of these grounds make football and rugby stadiums look modest. We're talking venues that could fit entire towns inside them, packed with supporters who treat match day like a pilgrimage.</p> <p>That's not hyperbole either. In India and Australia especially, cricket is culture and the stadiums reflect that, because they are more than places to watch a game: they're what happens when a country decides a sport actually matters.</p> <p>So which grounds are the biggest? Here's a breakdown of the world's largest cricket stadiums by capacity.</p> <h2>The two that break 100,000</h2> <p>There's a clear dividing line in cricket stadium capacity, and it sits at six figures. Only two grounds have crossed it. The gap between them is bigger than you might expect.</p> <h3>Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad: 132,000</h3> <p>The Narendra Modi Stadium isn't just the biggest cricket ground in the world. It's one of the largest sports venues anywhere, full stop. At 132,000 capacity, it dwarfs everything else on this list.</p> <p>The ground has been around since 1983, but the version standing today is essentially brand new. It was completely rebuilt and reopened in 2020, designed specifically to reclaim the title of world's largest cricket venue from the MCG.</p> <p>It's now home to Gujarat's state team and the Gujarat Titans in the IPL. When it fills up for a big match (and it does fill up), the atmosphere becomes something else entirely. More people than live in some cities, all watching the same ball. If you're looking to <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/cricket/indian-premier-league">bet on the IPL</a>, understanding the home advantage at venues like this matters.</p> <p>The stadium also says something about cricket's shifting power dynamics. India runs world cricket financially now. Having the biggest ground on the planet makes that point pretty clearly.</p> <h3>Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne: 100,024</h3> <p>For decades, the MCG held the crown. Even now, sitting second, it's arguably the most iconic cricket venue on earth.</p> <p>That capacity of 100,024 just scrapes past six figures. But what the MCG gives up in size compared to Ahmedabad, it makes up for in history. This is where the Boxing Day Test happens every year, an event that's basically a national holiday in Australia. This is where Ashes series have been won and lost. Where Shane Warne bowled that ball to Mike Gatting. Where countless moments that define the sport took place. For punters interested in <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/cricket/the-ashes">the Ashes betting</a>, the MCG Test is often the pivotal moment of the series.</p> <p>The ground has hosted cricket since 1853, and that kind of pedigree can't be manufactured.</p> <h2>The 60,000 to 70,000 tier</h2> <p>Below the two giants sits a group of stadiums that still pack in serious numbers. These are the venues that regularly host internationals and major tournaments, spread across different cricketing nations.</p> <h3>Eden Gardens, Kolkata: 68,000</h3> <p>Eden Gardens is legendary, and not just for its size. At 68,000 capacity, it's the third largest cricket ground in the world. Although there is something that separates it from other venues more than its capacity: its crowd.</p> <p>Anyone who's watched a big match here knows what I mean. At the Eden Gardens, the atmosphere is intense. Or. as I am sure some would say, it's even intimidating.</p> <p>When India plays at Eden Gardens, the noise becomes physical: visiting teams have talked about the pressure of walking out in front of this crowd, and you can understand why.</p> <p>The stadium dates back to 1864, making it one of the oldest cricket venues in India. It's the home ground for Bengal and has hosted too many historic matches to count. There's a reason people call it the "Mecca of Indian cricket." History, atmosphere, and sheer scale combine into something no other ground quite replicates.</p> <h3>Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur: 65,000</h3> <p>One of the newer entries on the list. Located in Naya Raipur, this 65,000 capacity ground represents India's continued investment in cricket infrastructure beyond the traditional centres.</p> <p>It doesn't have the pedigree of Eden Gardens or the MCG. But it's a modern, purpose-built facility that shows how seriously India takes spreading the game across the country. Raipur wasn't historically a major cricket hub. A ground this size changes that.</p> <h3>Perth Stadium, Perth: 61,266</h3> <p>Australia's second entry in the upper tier. Perth Stadium opened in 2018 and immediately became the premier sporting venue in Western Australia, replacing the old WACA as the city's main cricket ground (though the WACA still hosts some matches).</p> <p>At 61,266 capacity, it's a multi-purpose venue that also stages AFL and concerts. But cricket was central to the design. The drop-in pitches have been controversial at times, but the facilities and sightlines are first-rate.</p> <h2>The 50,000 to 60,000 bracket</h2> <p>This tier includes some genuinely iconic grounds. They balance solid capacity with other qualities: historic charm, architectural beauty, or strategic importance for cricket's global reach.</p> <h3>Adelaide Oval, Adelaide: 53,500</h3> <p>Often cited as the most beautiful cricket ground in the world. Hard to argue with that.</p> <p>The capacity of 53,500 is respectable, but what sets Adelaide Oval apart is how it blends old and new. The ground has hosted cricket since 1871. The redevelopment in the 2010s preserved that heritage while adding modern facilities. The old scoreboard still stands. St Peter's Cathedral rises beyond the boundary. The whole place has a feel that newer stadiums struggle to manufacture.</p> <p>Day-night Tests here have become special occasions. The pink ball under lights, the Adelaide hills in the background, a full house settling in for an evening session. Few venues match it for pure aesthetics. If you're new to the format, understanding <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/cricket/news/what-is-a-test-match-in-cricket-rules-and-format-explained">how Test cricket works</a> helps explain why these five-day matches draw such devoted crowds.</p> <h3>Singapore National Stadium, Kallang: 52,000</h3> <p>The outlier on the list. Singapore isn't a Test nation. It doesn't have the deep cricket culture of India, Australia, or England. But the National Stadium, with its 52,000 capacity and retractable roof, has carved out a role in international cricket nonetheless.</p> <p>The venue is multi-purpose by design and has hosted various tournaments and exhibition matches. Its presence here reflects cricket's push to expand beyond traditional markets.</p> <p>Whether that expansion sticks remains to be seen, but Singapore offers something different: a neutral, modern, well-connected venue in a region cricket wants to grow.</p> <h2>India's infrastructure dominance</h2> <p>Scan the list and one pattern jumps out immediately: India dominates it. Beyond the Narendra Modi Stadium, Eden Gardens, and Raipur, the country has several other grounds hovering around 50,000 capacity.</p> <p><strong>Sports Hub Trivandrum, Thiruvananthapuram: 50,000</strong> A newer facility in Kerala, part of the broader push to develop cricket infrastructure across different states.</p> <p><strong>Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow: 50,000</strong> Officially the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium (yes, really). It's become an important venue in Uttar Pradesh, hosting IPL matches and internationals.</p> <p><strong>JSCA International Cricket Stadium, Ranchi: 50,000</strong> Home ground for Jharkhand and closely associated with MS Dhoni, who grew up in the city. That connection gives it a special place in Indian cricket's geography.</p> <p>The sheer number of massive venues India can call on reflects where the sport's centre of gravity now sits. When you can fill 132,000 seats for a league match, you don't need anyone to tell you cricket belongs to you. It's no surprise that the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/cricket/news/biggest-ipl-contracts">highest paid IPL players</a> command salaries that rival top athletes in any sport globally.</p> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <h3>What is the biggest cricket stadium in the world?</h3> <p>The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India holds the record with a capacity of 132,000. It overtook the Melbourne Cricket Ground after a complete reconstruction in 2020.</p> <h3>How many cricket stadiums can hold over 100,000 people?</h3> <p>Only two: the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad (132,000) and the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne (100,024). No other cricket venue comes close to that threshold.</p> <h3>What is the oldest cricket stadium still in use?</h3> <p>The Melbourne Cricket Ground has hosted cricket since 1853, making it one of the oldest major venues still operating. Eden Gardens in Kolkata dates back to 1864, and Adelaide Oval has been staging matches since 1871.</p> <h3>Why does India have so many large cricket stadiums?</h3> <p>India is the financial centre of world cricket and has the largest fanbase. The BCCI and state associations have invested heavily in infrastructure, building modern high-capacity venues across the country to meet demand for domestic and international matches.</p> <h3>What is the largest cricket stadium outside of Asia?</h3> <p>The Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia, with a capacity of 100,024. 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