Ekana Cricket Stadium

The history of Ekana Cricket Stadium is bound up with the development of modern cricket infrastructure in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The stadium was built as a new home for international cricket in Lucknow, replacing the older K. D. Singh Babu Stadium, which had previously hosted international matches in the city.

Construction and opening

The stadium was created as a modern multi-format cricket arena with a capacity of 50,100 spectators, becoming the fifth largest international cricket stadium in India. A distinctive feature of the playing area is that it has the longest straight boundaries of any stadium in India, shaping the tactics of batters and bowlers alike.

Major renovations

The most significant change in the stadium's history was its renaming in 2018 in honour of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India's 10th Prime Minister and a recipient of the country's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna. The full official name is therefore Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cricket Stadium.

Notable moments

Among the most significant events are IPL matches featuring the Lucknow Super Giants and women's league fixtures involving the UP Warriorz. The high point in the stadium's history came when it hosted five matches of the 2023 Men's Cricket World Cup, drawing the attention of the international cricket community.

The atmosphere at Ekana Cricket Stadium reflects the deep passion of the Indian public for cricket, a sport that occupies an exceptional place in the country's culture and daily life. Matches of the Lucknow Super Giants and international fixtures turn the ground into a loud and colourful spectacle full of enthusiasm.

Fan culture

Indian cricket fans are renowned for their loud support, waving flags and celebrating every run and dismissal. During IPL matches the stands fill with supporters in the colours of the Lucknow Super Giants, and the atmosphere resembles a festival as much as a sporting event. The longest straight boundaries of any Indian stadium also lend the matches here a distinctive tactical edge that knowledgeable spectators appreciate.

Big matches

Among the most followed occasions are the home matches of the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL and fixtures of the women's franchise UP Warriorz. Historically the most significant were the five matches the stadium hosted during the 2023 Men's Cricket World Cup. In 2019 the Afghanistan men's team played their home matches here, further underlining the ground's international importance.

Ekana Cricket Stadium lies in Lucknow, the capital of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow is well connected by air, rail and road to India's other major cities and is an important regional centre in northern India.

How to get there

• By air: Lucknow has an international airport with domestic and international connections.
• By rail: The city is a major railway hub with services to Delhi and other metropolitan centres.
• Local transport: The stadium sits in a developing part of the city and is most easily reached by taxi or ride-sharing services.
• Matchday: For major fixtures, especially IPL and international matches, expect heavier traffic and allow extra time.

Tickets and tours

Tickets for Lucknow Super Giants games and international fixtures are usually sold through official sales channels and online platforms ahead of the season or tournament. Availability and prices vary with the importance of the match; for IPL and World Cup matches, buying in advance is recommended.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive? Arrive in good time, as security checks for major matches can be thorough.
• Weather: Summers in northern India are very hot; evening matches under floodlights are more comfortable.
• What to bring? A hat and water for daytime matches, as many seats are exposed to the sun.
• Food: Lucknow is famous for its cuisine, especially awadhi dishes such as kebabs and biryani, which are well worth sampling.