MUMBAI: The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has started the groundwork to secure land for a new cricket venue in Navi Mumbai, with an envisioned seating capacity of 1,00,000. MCA president Ajinkya Naik has already held talks with CIDCO managing director Vijay Singh, and the association is hopeful that a suitable plot can be finalised in the near term.
Key takeaways
- MCA has begun the process to acquire land for a new stadium in Navi Mumbai.
- The proposed venue is planned to have a capacity of 100,000 spectators.
- Ajinkya Naik met CIDCO MD Vijay Singh as part of efforts to speed up the search for land.
- Initial plans pointing to Aamne near Thane have shifted, with the current proposal placing the stadium near the Navi Mumbai International Airport.
- Naik says a stadium of this scale would strengthen Mumbai cricket and help Maharashtra’s presence on the global sporting stage.
Where the new stadium could be built
Earlier, land was understood to have been earmarked in Aamne, located near Thane. However, the latest understanding is that the new stadium will likely be developed close to the Navi Mumbai International Airport, a location described as convenient for travel and access. Navi Mumbai already hosts major international cricket at the DY Patil Stadium, which can accommodate roughly 46,000 fans and staged the semi-final and final of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup.
That said, the DY Patil Stadium is privately owned by former MCA president and educationist Vijay Patil, rather than being an MCA-controlled facility.
Why MCA wants a 100,000-capacity venue
Calling the project a significant milestone, Naik framed it as a turning point for Maharashtra’s broader sporting environment. He described the plan for a “one lakh” capacity stadium in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region as a step that would both raise the profile of Mumbai cricket and place Maharashtra more firmly on the global sports map.
Naik also highlighted the intended impact on the cricketing pipeline, arguing that world-class infrastructure can open up stronger pathways for player development, offer more exposure to emerging talent, and reinforce the game’s ecosystem at every level.
Capacity gap and previous assurances
At present, the only venue in India widely cited around the one lakh mark is Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which can even accommodate more than that. Naik is also expected to meet Devendra Fadnavis soon to push for quicker clearances.
Mumbai’s current reliance for major matches is the Wankhede Stadium, which has a capacity of 33,108—considered insufficient to meet the demand expected in a city of Mumbai’s scale. In May 2025, during an event where Fadnavis inaugurated stands named after Ajit Wadekar, Rohit Sharma and Sharad Pawar at Wankhede, he had assured the MCA that land would be provided for a new stadium.
