Rourkela, Odisha Hosts Biggest Hockey.

India’s Largest Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha

he FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 marked a historic moment for
Odisha, as it hosted this prestigious quadrennial event for the second
consecutive time. However, unlike the previous edition where all matches
were held at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium, this time, the newly
constructed Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela played a crucial role
as the second venue for the Hockey World Cup 2023.

Rourkela was slated to host 20 of the 44 hockey World Cup matches, while
the remaining 24, including the grand final, were scheduled in
Bhubaneswar. The Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, with its remarkable
seating capacity of 20,011 spectators, stands tall as one of the largest
hockey stadiums in India, and indeed, it holds the distinction of being the
largest fully seated hockey stadium globally. Notably, the Guinness Book of
World Records has officially recognized the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium
as the world’s largest fully seated hockey stadium. While other stadiums
such as the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore, the Chandigarh Hockey
Stadium, and the Weingart Stadium in Los Angeles can accommodate
more spectators due to terrace seating arrangements, the Birsa Munda
Hockey Stadium’s 20,011 bucket seats set it apart as a unique and
record-breaking venue.

This picturesque stadium, erected in a remarkable 15 months, offers not
only a massive seating capacity but also two world-class FIH-approved
hockey turfs. Additionally, it houses gymnasiums and the World Cup
Village, capable of accommodating over eight teams. Nestled within the
sprawling 50-acre campus of the Biju Patnaik University of Technology in
the Sundergarh district of Odisha, this stadium is a true masterpiece.

The grand inauguration of the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium took place on
January 5, 2023, with the Odisha Chief Minister officiating the ceremony.
The stadium played host to India’s first match of the World Cup 2023,
where they faced off against Spain on January 13. Prior to the World Cup,
the stadium hosted a three-match Test series between Korea Junior and
India Junior teams, serving as a litmus test for the newly laid astroturf on
the pitch.

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