CRICKET | MCA president meets CIDCO chief for proposed 1-lakh capacity stadium

The Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) ambitious plan to build a 1 lakh-capacity cricket stadium on the outskirts of Mumbai gathered fresh momentum after a key meeting between its president Ajinkya Naik and CIDCO managing director Vijay Singhal recently.

The two officials held detailed discussions to chart a roadmap for the proposed mega venue, which is expected to come up within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The project, which has been under consideration for more than two years, is seen as a significant step towards expanding Mumbai’s cricket infrastructure.

“This initiative marks a defining moment for Maharashtra’s sporting ecosystem. A 1 lakh-capacity stadium in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region will not only elevate Mumbai cricket but also firmly position Maharashtra on the global sporting map,” Naik said in a statement issued on Thursday.

Naik emphasised that the proposed stadium would play a vital role in strengthening grassroots cricket and providing exposure to emerging talent. “This world-class infrastructure will create unparalleled opportunities for player development and strengthen the cricketing ecosystem across all levels,” he added.

It is understood that Naik will meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis later this month with a request to expedite land allotment.

The project received a major boost in May 2025 when Fadnavis, while unveiling the Rohit Sharma Stand at the Wankhede Stadium, expressed his support for building a 1 lakh-capacity stadium in keeping with Mumbai’s cricketing legacy.

MCA officials are now hopeful that Thursday’s discussions, coupled with renewed government backing, will expedite the land allotment process and move the long-pending project closer to reality.

At present, the Wankhede Stadium — with a capacity of around 31,000 — remains Mumbai’s primary international cricket venue. With demand for tickets consistently outstripping supply, MCA has been exploring the possibility of building a larger venue to cater to the city’s cricket-loving audience.

In 2024, the MCA had approached the Maharashtra State and Regional Development Corporation seeking allotment of a 100-acre land parcel near Amane, a village on the outskirts of Thane, approximately 60 km from south Mumbai. However, the land allotment is yet to be finalised.