Looking for the top sports grounds in Uttarakhand? Well, we are here to help.
Uttrakhand is a busy center for adventure sports. From paragliding to rafting and bungee jumping, the hill state offers multiple opportunities for some adrenaline-pumping action. However, traditional sports, including cricket, football, and lately, golf are also finding takers in the state.
In fact, some of the top international cricketers hail from the state, such as Rishab Pant, Unmukt Chand, Ekta Bisht, Manish Pandey, Pawan Negi, and more. Even “Captain Cool”, MS Dhoni has his ancestral roots in the state.
Over the years, the state has come up with some quality sports grounds to promote sports. So, tighten your seatbelts as we take you on a whirlwind tour of the best sports grounds in Uttarakhand. We ranked them based on their amenities, location, seating capacity, and other key parameters.
Top 10 Sports Grounds in Uttarakhand
1. Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun
The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium has to be the top cricket ground in Uttarakhand. After all, it’s the state’s first and only international stadium and the country’s 51st. The ground has a picturesque location in Dehradun’s Raikar area surrounded by magnificent hills. Spread over 23 acres, it can accommodate 25,000 spectators at a time. The floodlights are available, keeping it good for day-night games. The amenities are also at par with any international cricket stadium.
Constructed by the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, the stadium has imprints of Kumaoni art. The seats are placed in a way to resemble Aipan, which is a ritualistic folk art of the region. The then CM, Vijay Bahuguna laid the stadium’s foundation stone in 2012. The project took four years and ₹237.20 crores to complete. Harish Rawat, the then-CM of Uttarakhand, inaugurated it in 2016.
The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium was the venue for the test series involving Ireland and Afghanistan in March 2019. The first ODI on the stadium was also played in the same series on 28th Feb 2019. Furthermore, the first T20I here was played between Afghanistan and Bangladesh on 3 June 2018. As a side note, it serves as the second home for the Afghanistan Cricket team.
- City: Dehradun
- Sports: Cricket
- Since: 2016
- Capacity: 25,000
- Area: 23 Acres
- Owner: State Govt. of Uttarakhand
- Construction Cost: ₹237.20 crore
- Accessibility: Easy
- Coordinates: 30.2969° N, 78.1055° E
2. Indira Gandhi International Sports Stadium, Haldwani
Indira Gandhi International Sports Stadium deserves to be second on the list of the top sports ground in Uttarakhand. It’s a well-equipped multipurpose playing facility for games like football, hockey, and cricket. Also, there’s an 800-meter race track, should you be interested in track and field. Even if you prefer swimming, tennis or boxing, the stadium keeps you covered.
Situated on the banks of Gaula River in Haldwani, the stadium is spacious enough to accommodate 25, 000 spectators at a given time. The location is also ideal, about 3KM from the local bus stand and 2.5 KM from the railway station. The then-CM, Harish Rawat laid the foundation of IGIS stadium in 2014 and also inaugurated it in 2016. The construction involved two years and ₹225 crores.
While it all sounds dandy, the stadium’s current situation isn’t so bright. Another 20% of work remains to be completed, and a lack of funds seems to be the main issue behind the delay. However, once this beautiful stadium is complete, it’s likely to welcome some big names for multiple sporting events.
- City: Haldwani
- Sports: Multisport
- Since: 2016
- Capacity: 25,000
- Area: 70 Acres
- Owner: State Govt. of Uttarakhand
- Construction Cost: ₹225 Crores
- Accessibility: Easy
- Coordinates: 30°18′05″N 78°06′09″E
3. Nainital Stadium, Nainital
Feast your eyes on the panoramic Nainital stadium, which is ideally located in the Mallital area of Nainital; close to Naini Lake, Jama Masjid and Naina Devi Temple. The stadium has a reputation for hosting inter-district cricket games, making it one of the top sportsgrounds in Uttarakhand. At any given time of the day, you can also see youngsters honing their skills or simply enjoying a good game of cricket. Besides cricket, you can watch or play basketball, hockey, and football here all year round.
The ground has a dry, dusty pitch suitable for batting. Even the outfield lacks grass, which makes fielding difficult. You’ll often see teams playing on a matted pitch here to avoid dusty conditions. However, you might struggle to reach the stadium unless you’re a resident of Nainital. The nearest airport is 70KM away while the nearest railway station is 36KM. Also, the stadium is surrounded by lofty trees that add to its aesthetics. Hotel accommodations are available around the stadium.
- City: Nainital
- Sports: Cricket
- Accessibility: Fairly difficult
- Amenities: Good
- Coordinates: 30.2969° N, 78.1055° E
4. Corbett Cricket Ground, Ramnagar
Welcome to the Corbett Cricket Ground, a highly rated Uttrakhand cricket ground & club. Located in the heart of Jim Corbet National Park, it offers dream settings for school & corporate cricket games. The pitch, playing conditions, and amenities here are in line with the international standards. Surrounding the 55-yard ground is a dense forest while the river Kosi flows majestically nearby.
The Corbett Cricket Ground has a turf pitch for high-quality cricket action. The 15 practice pitches, a professional-grade bowling machine, and other facilities are readily available. Likewise, the pavilion has an all-weather seating area with open and covered stands. At your behest, the management can arrange professional cricket events and even opponents for you to practice against.
The ground premises has 7 well-appointed clubhouse rooms and 11 cottages for your comfort. Upon request, the management can set up tents near the ground. That makes it an ideal destination for a memorable cricket vacation away from the cacophony of city crowds. The picturesque and quaint settings of the Corbett Cricket Ground also attract crews for TV, cinema and advertisement shoots.
- City: Ramnagar
- Sports: Cricket
- Accessibility: Fairly difficult
- Amenities: Excellent
- Coordinates: 29.5355° N, 79.1611° E
- Phone: +91-9050 602 777, +91 9896 485 969
5. Raj Bhawan Golf Course, Nainital
If you are a golf enthusiast, the Golf Course at Raj Bhawan should be on your bucket list. After all, it’s the oldest and most prestigious link in Uttrakhand, or for that matter, India. There’s some history attached to the golf course — it was built in 1926 but made accessible to the public only in 1944. Moreover, the 8-hole golf course has affiliations with the Indian Golf Union (IGU).
The course is nestled amidst a mixed forest, which makes it an ecofreak’s delight. You could easily spot diverse flora and fauna, or even some endangered species. The amenities include a clubhouse, previously called the Vohra Pavilion. There’re two other pavilions with a strategic location to help golfers unwind and soak in some nature. From Chief Minister to Chief Justice, people with key positions in the state are honorary members of this golf course. That’s some profile, isn’t it?
- City: Nainital
- Since: 1926
- Sport: Golf
- Area: 3.2 Km
- Owner: State Govt. of Uttarakhand
- Accessibility: Easy
- Amenities: Excellent
- Coordinates: 29.374081, 79.456551
6. Haldwani Sports Stadium, Haldwani
Haldwani Sports Stadium is a multisport ground in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. Situated on Nainital Road, the stadium is easily accessible by road. It is a cricket ground though, other sports, such as hockey, basketball, football, and more are also played here. Also, a racing track makes the stadium ideal for track and field.
Until Haldwani gets its first international stadium, Haldwani Sports Stadium remains the first choice for the city’s sports lovers and one of the top sports grounds in Uttarakhand. Lately, the stadium has played a part in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, as the local administration converted it into a staging area for all the necessary manpower and equipment.
- City: Haldwani
- Sport: Multisports
- Owner: State Govt. of Uttrakhand
- Accessibility: Easy
- Amenities: Average
7. Stevenson Stadium, Pantnagar
We rate the Stevenson Stadium Pantnagar highly because it’s an all-inclusive sports facility in the small town of Pantnagar. The stadium is a part of the Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT). With an expansive area, the stadium has two practice pitches for local cricketers, along with two volleyball courts. Arrangements for basketball, snooker, and other indoor sports are also in place. For runners and track and field athletes, a 600-meter track is also there.
Stevenson Stadium has fine arrangements for spectators as well. Over 5000 spectators can sit in and cheer their local teams. A gym is also part of the stadium to help students and athletes train. However, the gym lacks modern equipment, which is a major drawback. The stadium often hosts university-level tournaments and has a tie-up with the Mountaineering Club, Nainital.
- City: Pantnagar
- Sports: Multisports
- Owner: GBPUAT university
- Accessibility: Easy
- Amenities: Decent
- Coordinates: 29.0203° N, 79.4975° E
8. Tanakpur Sports Stadium, Tanakpur
Situated on the banks of River Sarda, Tanakpur is a small town known for power projects. Tanakpur Sports Stadium, the only well-equipped facility here, has helped the town produce some promising sportspersons. Located on National Highway No.9, you won’t face issues accessing the stadium.
Primarily, the stadium is used for cricket. However, it can sport a variety of other sporting activities, such as hockey, football, badminton, and lawn tennis. The management has employed coaches to guide budding sportspersons. Even if you are more into indoor games, the stadium has the relevant facilities for you to play or hone your skills.
- City: Tanakpur
- Sports: Multisport
- Accessibility: Easy
- Amenities: Average
- Owner: State Govt. of Uttarakhand
- Coordinates: 29.0750° N, 80.1081° E
9. Doon Sports Club, Dehradun
Doon Sports Club is a prominent sports body in Dehradun with a rich history. It came into being in 1878 as the ‘Doon Club’ in Colonel Young’s Bungalow. The club got incorporated as the ‘Dehradun Club Ltd.’ in 1901. At the time of independence, the departing British government was in favor of liquidating it. However, the Allahabad High Court intervened to keep the club intact.
Located in the backdrop of Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, the sports club offers top-of-the-line sports, recreation, and lifestyle avenues. It features six bowling alleys, a vast swimming pool, billiards room, along with facilities for table tennis, squash, gymming, and more.
For local cuisines and gastronomic delights, you’ll find a decent restaurant inside the stadium as well. As a member, you even get to enjoy riveting encounters at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium from the VIP area.
- City: Dehradun
- Since: 1878
- Sports: Multisports
- Amenities: Excellent
- Accessibility: Easy
- Coordinates: 30.2969° N, 78.1055° E
10. Football Ground, Roorkee
The Football Ground Roorkee makes it to our list of the top sports grounds in Uttarakhand at the 10th spot. It’s a well-maintained facility owned by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, one of India’s top educational institutes. The stadium is a feast for your eyes, thanks to the lush green playing area and mesmerizing surroundings. You gotta see it to believe it!
The stadium features a floodlight facility to enable play in low-light conditions. The administration has arranged for rollers and sprinkler systems to keep the ground ready for some exciting football action all year round. The students receive professional coaching from expert coaches who work full-time. Going a step forward, IIT Roorkee also provides customized gear to the participants.
- City: Roorkee
- Sports: Football
- Owner: IIT Roorkee
- Amenities: Good
- Accessibility: Easy
- Coordinates: 29.8679° N, 77.8985° E
Conclusion
Gradually, Uttarakhand’s sporting scenes are getting in better shape. That’s partly due to some quality sports stadiums cropping up across the state. So, that was our list of the top sports grounds in Uttarakhand and how they are helping develop a vibrant sports culture.
Hopefully, you found it informative and useful. In case we missed any sports ground you think should feature on our list, please feel free to tell us. The comment section is right below.
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