Quick answer: Wankhede Stadium is the Mumbai Cricket Association’s international cricket ground near Churchgate and Marine Drive in South Mumbai, with a capacity of about 33,000. Opened in 1974–75, it hosted India’s 2011 World Cup final win and is the home ground of the Mumbai Indians. There is no general daily visiting time; you enter with a match ticket, or on a pre-booked tour of the MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Museum, which opened to the public in 2025.
Wankhede Stadium at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Location | Churchgate, South Mumbai, next to Marine Drive |
| Owner | Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) |
| Opened | 1974; first Test in January 1975 |
| Capacity | About 33,100 after the 2011 redevelopment |
| Home ground of | Mumbai Indians (IPL) and the Mumbai team (Ranji Trophy) |
| Also houses | Headquarters of the BCCI, MCA and IPL |
| Visiting | Match tickets; museum and stadium tours by online booking only, Tuesday to Sunday |
| Nearest station | Churchgate (Western line); Churchgate station on Metro Line 3 |
History of Wankhede Stadium
Why Mumbai built a second Test ground
Before Wankhede, Test cricket in Bombay was played at the Brabourne Stadium, owned by the Cricket Club of India (CCI). Disputes between the CCI and the Bombay (now Mumbai) Cricket Association over the allocation of match tickets became severe after the India–England Test of 1973. The association decided to build its own stadium a short distance away.
The stadium was named after S.K. Wankhede, a politician and Bombay Cricket Association official who drove the project, and a former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). It was built in about 13 months and hosted its first Test from 23 to 29 January 1975, when the West Indies beat India by 201 runs.
An earlier version of this article said the stadium was built in six months. Published records put construction at about 13 months, so we have corrected it.
Memorable moments
- 1978–79: Sunil Gavaskar scored 205 against the West Indies; Alvin Kallicharran made 187 in the same match.
- 1980: In the Golden Jubilee Test, England’s Ian Botham scored a century and took 13 wickets as England won by ten wickets.
- 1985: Ravi Shastri hit six sixes in an over on his way to an unbeaten 200 off 123 balls for Bombay against Baroda in the Ranji Trophy.
- 1987: The first One Day International at the ground, India against Sri Lanka, on 17 January.
- 1993: Vinod Kambli scored 224 against England in only his third Test, his maiden Test century.
- 2 April 2011: India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the World Cup final, becoming the first country to win the World Cup on home soil, 28 years after their first title in 1983.
- 2013: Sachin Tendulkar played his last international match here.
- 2016: Virat Kohli’s 235 against England became the highest score by an Indian at the ground.
- 2023: Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan in the World Cup was the first ODI double century by an Australian.
The ground continues to host international matches, including Tests (most recently against New Zealand in November 2024 at the time of writing) and matches of the 2026 T20 World Cup, including a semi-final on 5 March 2026.
The stadium today
2011 redevelopment
Ahead of the 2011 World Cup, the MCA had the stadium rebuilt by the architects Shashi Prabhu & Associates and P.K. Das & Associates. The redesign improved sightlines and reduced the capacity from about 39,000 to about 33,100. Its best-known feature is the suspended cantilever roof made of lightweight, heat-resistant Teflon fabric with no supporting beams, which gives spectators a clearer view.
Stands
Several stands are named after Mumbai cricket greats and administrators, including the Sachin Tendulkar Stand, alongside the MCA, North, Garware and Grand Stands. In May 2025 the MCA unveiled the Rohit Sharma Stand (in the Divecha Pavilion), the Sharad Pawar Stand and the Ajit Wadekar Stand. The ends of the ground are the Tata End and the Garware Pavilion End.
An earlier version of this article also listed stands named after Sunil Gavaskar and Vijay Merchant, and gates named after Polly Umrigar and Vinoo Mankad. We could not confirm the current stand and gate names from a reliable source, so we have not repeated them; check your match ticket for your stand and gate.
MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Museum and stadium tours
In August 2025 the MCA inaugurated the MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Museum at the stadium, covering more than 8,000 sq ft. It has life-size statues of Sharad Pawar and Sunil Gavaskar at the entrance, sections on India’s cricket greats, women’s cricket, World Cup wins and the MCA’s member clubs, memorabilia donated by Mumbai cricketers, and interactive and audio-visual exhibits.
According to press reports from 2025, the museum opened to the public with:
- a guided museum tour of about 75 minutes;
- a museum-plus-stadium tour of about 150 minutes, including select areas of the ground;
- tours on six days a week, Tuesday to Sunday, with up to 20 visitors per tour;
- online booking only.
We could not confirm current ticket prices or time slots from an official MCA page. Check the Mumbai Cricket Association’s official website or channels and book before you go; tours may not run on match days.
An earlier version of this article said the stadium is open every day from 11:30 am to 7:30 pm with free entry on non-match days. We found no source for that, and the stadium is not generally open to walk-in visitors, so we have removed it.
Tips for match days
- Buy tickets only through the official ticketing partner announced by the BCCI, IPL franchise or MCA for that match.
- Arrive early; security checks are thorough and queues build up near Churchgate.
- Check the list of prohibited items printed on your ticket before you leave home.
- Mumbai is humid for much of the year; carry a cap and drink water during day matches.
How to reach Wankhede Stadium
- Suburban rail: Churchgate, the southern terminus of the Western line, is a short walk away. Marine Lines is also close.
- Metro: Churchgate station on Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line).
- Bus and taxi: Many BEST buses stop near Churchgate. Roads around the stadium are often closed or diverted on match days, so public transport is easier.
Places to visit nearby
- Marine Drive: The seafront promenade is right next to the stadium; see our Marine Drive guide.
- Churchgate: The station area and its Art Deco surroundings; see our Churchgate guide.
- Flora Fountain: A short walk east at Hutatma Chowk; see our Flora Fountain guide.
- Nariman Point: At the southern end of Marine Drive; see our Nariman Point guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit Wankhede Stadium without a match ticket?
Not as a walk-in visitor. Since 2025 the MCA has offered pre-booked tours of the MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Museum, with an option that includes parts of the stadium. Book online in advance.
What is the capacity of Wankhede Stadium?
About 33,100, after the redevelopment for the 2011 World Cup.
Who is Wankhede Stadium named after?
S.K. Wankhede, a politician and Bombay Cricket Association official who led the project, and a former BCCI president.
Which IPL team plays at Wankhede?
The Mumbai Indians.
What is the highest Test score by an Indian at Wankhede?
Virat Kohli’s 235 against England in 2016, which overtook Vinod Kambli’s 224 from 1993.
Details checked in October 2026 against published records of Wankhede Stadium, the Mumbai Cricket Association’s 2025 announcements on the museum and the new stands as reported by IANS and RevSportz, and match records. Tour times and prices change, so book through official MCA channels.
