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India’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 Bid: Know the proposed venues
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) this week submitted a 177-page bid book to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) citing its entire plan for the 2027 Asian Cup if it is selected to host the competition. It has proposed 12 stadiums for the tournament that are as follows:-
EKA ARENA (TRANSSTADIA), Ahmedabad
Inaugurated in 2016, the TransStadia is India’s first convertible stadium. One amazing feature of this stadium is that it can be converted into a multi-purpose indoor stadium within a span of 6 minutes. Many international events have already been played in this stadium like the Inter-Continental Cup between India, Syria, Tajikistan and North Korea in 2019. It was the only stadium nominated from India in the StadiumDB awards along with other prestigious arenas like the Wanda Metropolitano (Spain), Mercedes-Benz Arena in USA and the FIFA World Cup stadiums in Moscow and St. Petersburg. According to the AIFF, not much expenditure has to be incurred on upgrading the stadium as it is regularly used and well maintained.
KALINGA STADIUM, Bhubaneswar
Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar is a multipurpose international stadium built in 1978. Situated in the heart of the city, the stadium complex has facilities for athletics, football, basketball, field hockey, swimming etc. The stadium has been the venue for the Super Cup between Indian Super League and I-League champions. It is also the home ground of Indian Super League side Odisha FC. The AIFF stated that since the stadium has been recently renovated, additional expenditures should not exceed USD 1 million dollars. The stadium is suitable for holding Group Stage, Round of 16 and Quarterfinals matches of the tournament.
INDIRA GANDHI ATHLETICS STADIUM, Guwahati
The IGAI stadium was inaugurated in 2007 for the 33rd National Games of India. It has hosted a number of FIFA Friendlies, World Cup Qualifiers and South Asian Games. This stadium is also the home ground of ISL side NorthEast United FC. It is a multi-purpose stadium and has been deemed suitable for hosting matches up to the Quarterfinal stage of the tournament. The AIFF expects little upgrades to the infrastructure of the stadium because of its good existing condition. The recommended infrastructural upgrades would cost up to USD 1 Million dollars.
Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium, Guwahati
FATORDA STADIUM, Goa
Established in 1989, The Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium or Fatorda Stadium in Goa is Goa’s only international stadium. It is also the home of ISL side FC Goa, I-league outfit Churchill Brothers SC and many other clubs. The stadium underwent significant renovations for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Further renovations before the AFC Asian Cup 2027 may cost up to INR 10 Crore or USD 1.5 Million according to the bid book.
GMC BALAYOGI STADIUM, Hyderabad
The GMC Balayogi Athletic stadium is the current home ground of ISL side Hyderabad FC. The stadium hosted the 2003 Afro-Asian Games which saw the participation of 43 Asian Countries and 53 African Countries. It is part of a larger sports complex which features a multipurpose Indoor stadium, hockey stadium and a training ground for football. To make it compliant with the regulations for AFC Asian Cup 2027, an expense of INR 30 Crore or USD 4 Million Dollars may be incurred by the AIFF. The stadium would be hosting matches up to the QF stage of the tournament.
GMC Balayogi Stadium, Hyderabad
SALT LAKE STADIUM, Kolkata
The Salt Lake Stadium is the most famous football ground in India and one of Asia’s largest stadiums. It is home to one of the biggest and fiercest rivalries of the world- The Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. The stadium also hosted the finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017. Having already been extensively renovated for U-17 World Cup and in good condition, minor uplifts at the venue would cost the AIFF INR 10 Crore or USD 1.5 Million. The stadium has been proposed to hold Group Stage, R16, QF and even the final of the tournament as football is the most popular sport in the city and the passion for the sport is unrivalled.
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU STADIUM, Kochi
The Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi is one of the loudest stadiums in India and is the home of ISL side Kerala Blasters FC. It has giant convex floodlight polygon arching over the ground. It was one of the host stadiums of FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 for which it underwent major changes. Further renovations around the stadium for the Asian Cup in 2027 would cost around INR 10 Crore or USD 1.5 Million. The stadium will be ideal for Group stages, R16 and potentially the semi-final rounds if selected.
DY PATIL STADIUM, Navi Mumbai
The DY Patil stadium was built in 2008 in the outskirts of Mumbai. The spectators can enjoy an unobstructed view of all the matches played here due to its individual bucket seats. The DY Patil stadium has hosted both the first Indian Premier League (IPL) and Indian Super League (ISL) final. Other than football and cricket, the stadium has hosted several celebrity concerts. It will also host the FIFA U-17 Women’s final in 2022 and won’t require major renovations for hosting the Asian Cup in 2027. The venue is suitable for hosting Group stages, R16 & semi-final of the tournament.
DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
PANVEL-KHARGHAR STADIUM, Navi Mumbai
The state of Maharashtra has decided to develop a Centre of Excellence for Football in the Kharghar region of Panvel Municipal Corporation. Land finalisation and designing of the facility will be started soon by the City and Industrial Corporation of Maharashta Limited. The facility will host 4 training sites as well as a stadium with 40,000 capacity. The entire development will be done in conformation with the FIFA & AFC standards. The new stadium, DY Patil Stadium and Navi Mumbai would be within a half hour drive from each other so that fans can watch matches on same day in both the venues.
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU STADIUM, New Delhi
Built in 1982 for the Asian Games, the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium was extensively renovated for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Thereafter, India, as host of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, played all of its group stage matches here. Minor upgrades to the stadium would cost upto INR 5 Crore or USD 750,000. According to the bid book the stadium would be ideally suited for hosting the first match, R16, QF and even the semi-final match for the tournament.
GREENFIELD INTERNATIONAL STADIUM, Thiruvananthapuram
Built over 37 acres of space, the Greenfields International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram is a multipurpose stadium. It was built in 2015 and has already hosted three International Cricket matches so far. It is India’s first fully eco-friendly stadium with a seating capacity of about 50,000. The stadium is a fully compliant FIFA stadium. The stadium hosted the SAFF Championships in 2016 and does not require any major changes to its infrastructure according to the AIFF. The venue would be ideal to host matches of Group stage, R16 and the Semi-Final.
Greenfield Stadium, Trivandrum
SHREE SHIV CHHATRAPATI SPORTS COMPLEX, Pune
The Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex was built for the 1994 National Games. It has hosted several competitions like 2008 Youth Commonwealth games, 2009 FIVB Men’s Junior World Championships and numerous matches of the Indian National football team. The stadium has also been the home ground of Pune City FC in the I-League. According to AIFF, it will require the most renovations and infrastructural upgrades. It would cost up to USD 5 Million Dollars approximately and the stadium would be suitable for hosting matches up to Round of 16 stage of the AFC Asian Cup 2027. The complex also has a training ground which can be used as a training site for the tournament.
