Ladakh to get world’s highest cricket stadium near Leh at 11,800 feet

The world’s largest cricket stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium, is located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Now, the government has planned to build the world’s highest-altitude cricket stadium in the Union Territory of Ladakh.

Currently, the highest-altitude international cricket stadium is the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. Located at an altitude of approximately 4,780 feet above sea level, the stadium offers a spectacular view of the Dhauladhar mountain range.

The proposed cricket stadium in Ladakh would be built at more than twice that altitude, generating considerable excitement among cricket fans.

Stadium Set to Create New Record

Following the abrogation of Article 370, Ladakh was separated from Jammu and Kashmir and made a union territory. The administration of the union territory is headed by a lieutenant governor.

According to reports, the Ladakh administration has prepared plans for a cricket stadium near Thiksey, in the Leh region. The proposed stadium could be built at an altitude of approximately 11,800 feet above sea level.

If completed, the facility would become the world’s highest cricket stadium and take the sport to an unprecedented altitude in the Himalayan region.

Sports Tourism to Get a Boost

The Ladakh administration has initiated the process of preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed stadium. The facility is planned at Ranbirpur in the Thiksey area near Leh.

The ambitious project is estimated to cost around Rs 100 crore. It is expected to promote sports tourism in Ladakh while providing better sports facilities and training opportunities for local youth.

India has several cricket grounds that have hosted international matches, with major venues being regularly used for domestic and international fixtures. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad remains the world’s largest cricket stadium by seating capacity.

The project, tentatively referred to as the Ranbirpur Cricket Stadium, is currently at the planning and DPR stage.

For now, the stadium remains a proposal, and details such as its final design, seating capacity, construction timeline and official name could change as the project progresses. However, the idea of taking cricket to an altitude of nearly 12,000 feet has already attracted significant attention.

The thin air at such a high altitude could present unique challenges for players, including lower oxygen levels and different ball behaviour. Teams and athletes would need to adapt to the demanding conditions.

The project aims to provide local athletes in Ladakh with a dedicated venue for training and competitive matches. It is also expected to boost sports tourism by attracting visitors interested in cricket alongside the region’s landscapes and cultural heritage.

The proposed stadium could create opportunities for youth development programmes, coaching camps and employment for local residents.

The project comes amid a series of sports infrastructure upgrades in Leh, including the development of a high-altitude AstroTurf football ground and a synthetic athletic track aimed at enabling athletes to train throughout the year despite the region’s harsh climatic conditions.

India’s Highest Football Stadium Already Built in Leh, Ladakh

India’s highest football ground is located at Spituk near Leh at an altitude of around 11,000 feet above sea level. The facility was developed as part of the Khelo India initiative.

The stadium features a standard-sized athletics track and an AstroTurf football pitch. The arena is expected to have a seating capacity of around 30,000 spectators.

The project is estimated to have cost approximately Rs 10.50 crore. The facility is aimed at providing young footballers in Ladakh with better infrastructure and opportunities to train and compete at high altitude.