Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, near India Gate, is Delhi’s main hockey stadium. It opened in 1933, was the first venue of the 1951 Asian Games and was rebuilt for the 2010 Men’s Hockey World Cup. It is run by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Facility profile
- Official name: Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. It was first the Irwin Amphitheatre, was renamed National Stadium before the 1951 Asian Games, and Dhyan Chand’s name was added in 2002
- Address: Patiala House, New Delhi 110001, near India Gate
- Operator: Sports Authority of India
- Contact: 011-23389740 and 011-23075065; email mdcns-sai@gov.in (administrator listed by SAI: Dilip Kumar Singh)
- Built: 1933, as a gift to Delhi from the Maharaja of Bhavnagar; designed by Anthony S. DeMillo and opened by Lord Willingdon
- Area: SAI gives a stadium footprint of 17,500 sq m within a 37-acre complex
SAI notes that Edwin Lutyens’s original plans for the site were for a garden that kept a clear view of Purana Quila.
Infrastructure and facilities
The stadium was rebuilt in 2010 at a cost of Rs 262 crore. Wikipedia says this was Rs 50 crore over budget. The earthen embankments were replaced with a rectangular seating bowl.
SAI lists three synthetic pitches: two to international standard and one for practice, all with new polygrass turf and sprinkler systems. The main field holds about 16,200 spectators. The second pitch has 900 permanent seats and room for 1,600 temporary ones. The two competition pitches have foldable floodlight towers giving 2,200 lux, enough for high-definition television. Both main pitches have changing rooms and relaxation lounges, and there is a VVIP lounge.
Events hosted
The stadium hosted the first Asian Games in 1951, the 2010 Men’s Hockey World Cup and field hockey at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and it was the first Games venue unveiled, on 24 January 2010. Wikipedia also records the Jashn-e-Rekhta festival there on 8 to 10 December 2017. Business Standard reported in October 2024 that the last international hockey match before that month’s India against Germany game was the 2014 Hero Hockey World League Final, with only occasional inter-departmental matches in between.
Timings and operational hours
SAI does not publish opening hours, closing days or coaching timings for the stadium. Contact the administrator’s office for current arrangements.
Charges, membership and booking
SAI’s page publishes no entry fees, membership categories, hire rates or booking procedure. Business Standard reported that over 12,000 people registered for free tickets to the October 2024 India against Germany match. No tariff is published, so none is given here.
Urban and ecosystem context
The stadium is in central Delhi, and Business Standard names Pragati Maidan as the nearest metro station. Business Standard describes it as the spiritual home of hockey in the capital. Published detail on regular use by clubs, schools or academies is limited, and the 2024 report indicates matches there are infrequent.
Details come from the Sports Authority of India’s website, Wikipedia and Business Standard, and were checked in November 2026. Confirm contact details and access with the stadium administrator before visiting.