The short answer
Barabati Stadium: what visitors should know first
Go only if there is a match on; otherwise it is an exterior stop. Book tickets early for internationals and expect heavy crowds, security checks and traffic.
History and context
The story behind Barabati Stadium
Wikipedia lists the stadium as opened in 1958 with a capacity of 45,000, operated by the Odisha Cricket Association and the Football Association of Odisha. Its first men's ODI was in January 1982, and its latest listed men's T20I was in December 2025.
Useful facts
Barabati Stadium facts at a glance
- Location
- Stadium Road, Cuttack
- Sport
- Cricket, football, occasional hockey
- When to go
- Match days
- Access
- Ticketed by fixture
- Founded
- 1958
Why it matters
Why Barabati Stadium is worth your time
Barabati opened in 1958 and became one of India's best-known cricket grounds. It hosted matches of the 1987 and 1996 Cricket World Cups and the 2013 Women's World Cup, and India's first Test there was in January 1987 against Sri Lanka.
It matters locally as a meeting point as much as a ground. Cricket, football and hockey events draw crowds from across Odisha, and the stadium's setting beside the old fort underlines how sport and history sit side by side in Cuttack.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
World Cup history
Matches in the 1987 and 1996 men's and 2013 women's World Cups.
- 02
Capacity
About 45,000 seats.
- 03
The sports complex
Includes the Sachin Tendulkar Indoor Hall.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Check fixtures first. The stadium hosts cricket, football and occasional other events, and international matches have included men's ODIs and T20Is as recently as 2025. Buy tickets through official channels only and arrive early for security checks.
On a match day, expect heavy crowds, closed roads and long queues. Choose a covered stand if you can, carry water and sunscreen in permitted amounts, and plan how you will leave, since traffic around Stadium Road clears slowly.
On a non-match day you can see the stadium from outside and visit the dahibara stalls in the zone nearby, then walk to Barabati Fort next door. The Sachin Tendulkar Indoor Hall and the sports complex are part of the same area.
Plan with confidence
Event-led places reward a little planning.
- Check fixtures before travelling
- Buy tickets only through official channels
- Arrive early for security checks
- Plan your exit; traffic is slow
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Stadium Road, Cuttack, beside Barabati Fort
- Time needed
- Match day, 4-8 hours
- Best time
- Match dates; check fixtures
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- Seating is mostly stadium benches or chairs and the approach is crowded. Older visitors should choose covered stands and plan transport carefully.
- Tickets and access
- Access is fixture-led. Tickets are sold through official channels for each match; check the Odisha Cricket Association or official ticketing partners. Security rules limit bags.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Barabati Stadium
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Seating is mostly stadium benches or chairs and the approach is crowded. Older visitors should choose covered stands and plan transport carefully.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can I visit without a match?
You can see it from outside; interior access depends on events.
How big is it?
Capacity is about 45,000.
Which World Cups?
The 1987 and 1996 men's and 2013 women's World Cups.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.