Eden Gardens

Cricket's answer to the Colosseum

Eden Gardens stands as an international cricket stadium in Kolkata, India, established in 1864. It holds the distinction of being the oldest and second-largest cricket stadium in India, while ranking third-largest globally. Currently operating with a capacity of 68,000, it is managed by the Cricket Association of Bengal and serves as the home ground for the Kolkata Knight Riders. The venue has hosted major international competitions including the World Cup, World Twenty20, and Asia Cup. Its history includes witnessing a record crowd of 110,564 during the 1996 India vs Sri Lanka Cricket World Cup Semi Final.

Quick Facts

Nickname

"Lord's of the East"

Address

Gostho Paul Sarani, Maidan, B. B. D. Bagh

City

Kolkata, West Bengal

Country

India

Location

Near Maidan, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Public transit

kolkata, s Eden Gardens
Kolkata Metro, purple Eden Gardens
Bus Eden Gardens

Capacity

68,000 (Current)
100,000 (Planned Expansion)
100,000 (1987–2010)
40,000 (before 1987)

Record attendance

110,564 (IND v. SL in 1996 Cricket World Cup Semi-Final)

Lore & Background

The origins of Eden Gardens remain uncertain, though popular culture credits Babu Rajchandra Das, zamindar of Janbazar and husband of Rani Rashmoni. He gifted his garden, Marh Bagan, to Lord Auckland and his sister Emily Eden in gratitude for saving his daughter from a fatal disease; the park was renamed 'Eden Gardens' in 1841 after previously being called 'Auckland Circus Gardens'. The cricket grounds were built between Babughat and Fort William. In January 2017, stands were named after local legends Sourav Ganguly and Pankaj Roy, as well as administrators BN Dutt and Jagmohan Dalmiya. By April 2017, four stands honored Indian soldiers: Colonel Neelakantan Jayachandran Nair, Havildar Hangpan Dada, Lieutenant Colonel Dhan Singh Thapa, and Subedar Joginder Singh Sahnan. In 2024, a stand was dedicated to Jhulan Goswami, unveiled on 22 January 2025.

Reader's Guide

Located in the B. B. D. Bagh area near the State Secretariat and opposite the Calcutta High Court, Eden Gardens is the headquarters of the Cricket Association of Bengal. It hosts the Bengal cricket team and the Kolkata Knight Riders. The venue underwent significant renovation for the 2011 Cricket World Cup by a consortium including Burt Hill Architects (now INI Design Studio) and VMS architecture firms. This project reduced seating capacity from around 94,000 to approximately 68,000 but added new clubhouses, upgraded exterior walls with metal skin cladding, and improved amenities. Due to unsafe conditions from incomplete renovations, the ICC moved an India vs England match scheduled for 27 February 2011 to Bengaluru. The stadium hosted three World Cup matches in March 2011, including a Kenya vs Zimbabwe game that drew only 15 ticket-purchasing spectators.

Did You Know?

The first day/night match at the venue was the 1993 Hero Cup semi-final featuring India and South Africa.
In September 2016, Kapil Dev became the first person to ring a bell added to the stadium to start test matches.
Eden Gardens hosted its first Test match in 1934 between England and India.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which team calls Eden Gardens their home ground?

This historic venue in Kolkata serves as the primary home stadium for the Kolkata Knight Riders, not Chennai Super Kings. CSK fans recognize it as a key rival location where they must travel to face KKR during the IPL season.

Is Eden Gardens currently active in the IPL?

Yes, managed by the Cricket Association of Bengal, it remains an active venue with a capacity of 68,000 spectators. It continues to host league fixtures where Chennai Super Kings occasionally play against Kolkata-based opponents.