Ekana Cricket Stadium at a Glance
The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, commonly known as Ekana Cricket Stadium, is an international cricket venue in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. It serves as the home ground for the Uttar Pradesh cricket team and the IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants. The stadium opened in 2017 and has since hosted international matches across all three formats, including games in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Quick Facts: Lucknow Cricket Stadium
History and Name Change
The stadium project began in 2014 under the Samajwadi Party government led by Akhilesh Yadav. It was developed through a public-private partnership model.
The stadium was originally called the Ekana International Cricket Stadium. “Ekana” is a Sanskrit word that translates to “one” or “unity”. This changed in November 2018. Just one day before the first international match at the venue, the Uttar Pradesh government renamed the stadium.
What was the old name of Lucknow cricket stadium? The stadium was renamed to honor former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who represented Lucknow in Parliament. The new name became Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.
On November 6, 2018, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the stadium with its new name. The first international match was played the same day between India and West Indies.
Stadium Capacity and Design
How Big is the Stadium?
The stadium has a seating capacity of 50,000 spectators. Some official sources list it as 50,100. According to the ICC, this makes it the fifth largest international cricket stadium in India.
Boundary Length
One distinctive feature of this stadium is its boundaries. The Ekana Stadium has the longest straight boundaries in India.
| Boundary | Length |
|---|---|
| Straight Boundary | 81 meters |
| Longer Square Boundary | 76 meters |
| Shorter Square Boundary | 69 meters |
These long dimensions make it difficult for batsmen to hit sixes easily. The pitch is a black-soil surface, which is different from the red-soil pitches found in many other Indian stadiums.
Location
The stadium is located at Ekana Sportz City, Gomti Nagar Extension, Lucknow.
Ticket Prices
One of the most common questions fans ask is about ticket prices. The prices vary depending on the match type and seating category.
IPL 2026 Ticket Prices
For IPL 2026 matches, ticket prices at Ekana Stadium start from Rs 499. For the 2026 season, BookMyShow is the exclusive official ticketing partner for all Lucknow Super Giants home matches.
| Category | Price Range (INR) | Type |
|---|---|---|
| General Stands | Rs 499 – Rs 1,000 | General |
| Lower & Upper Blocks | Rs 1,000 – Rs 2,000 | General |
| Mid-Tier (Premium Gallery, INA Solar) | Rs 3,000 – Rs 8,000 | Mid-Tier |
| North Platinum / South Presidential | Rs 12,000 – Rs 20,000 | Premium |
| North Corporate Box | Rs 40,000 | Corporate |
| Super Giants Lounge | Rs 40,000 | Luxury |
BookMyShow adds a convenience fee. On a Rs 499 ticket, the total comes to approximately Rs 568.62 after fees.
Where to Buy Tickets
Lucknow Super Giants tickets are sold exclusively through BookMyShow for the 2026 season. Tickets are available for online booking on the BookMyShow website and app.
Pitch Report
The pitch at this stadium is quite different from other Indian stadiums.
Is Lucknow a Batting or Bowling Pitch?
Is Lucknow a batting or bowling pitch? Ekana generally tends to offer assistance to spinners, although pitch behavior can vary depending on preparation, weather and match conditions. The black-soil surface and long boundaries make it a bowling-friendly pitch overall.
Key Pitch Features
- Black-soil surface – retains moisture and slows down the ball.
- Spin-friendly – spinners get grip and turn from the surface.
- Low scoring – matches tend to have lower totals compared to other IPL venues.
- Long boundaries – averaging over 75 meters on all sides.
- Low dew chances – very low chances of dew in Lucknow during April and May.
Average Scores
Toss Decision
In most matches at this venue, the team winning the toss chooses to bowl first. The chase win rate in IPL is around 56%.
Stadium Records
The following records are current as of September 2026 and may change as more matches are played at the venue.
ODI Records
| Record | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total ODI Matches | 14 |
| Highest Total | 402 by India vs Afghanistan (June 17, 2026) |
| Second Highest Total | 311/7 by South Africa vs Australia (2023 World Cup) |
| Highest Individual Score | 109* – Quinton de Kock (SA) vs Australia (2023) |
Note: India scored 402 against Afghanistan at this venue on June 17, 2026. Shubman Gill scored 154 and Ishan Kishan scored 125 in that match. This is the highest ODI total at this ground. India won the match by 170 runs.
T20I Records
IPL Records
Top Run-Scorers in IPL at Ekana
Top Wicket-Takers in IPL at Ekana
Recent Match Scorecards
LSG vs CSK – Match 59 (May 15, 2026)
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings | 187/5 | 20 | Lost |
| Lucknow Super Giants | 188/3 | 16.4 | Won by 7 wickets |
LSG vs RCB – Match 50 (May 7, 2026)
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucknow Super Giants | 209/3 | 19 | Won by 9 runs (DLS method) |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 203/6 | 19 | Lost |
Mitchell Marsh scored a century in this match, reaching his hundred in 49 deliveries, the fastest century for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL history.
Other Major Sports Stadiums in Lucknow
When discussing sports venues in Lucknow, two stadiums stand out:
1. Ekana Cricket Stadium (BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium)
This is the most famous and largest cricket stadium in Lucknow. With a capacity of 50,000, it is the fifth largest in India. It hosts IPL matches, international matches, and World Cup games.
2. KD Singh Babu Stadium
This is a historic multi-purpose stadium in Lucknow. It was established in 1957 and is named after hockey legend Kunwar Digvijay Singh “Babu”. It has a seating capacity of approximately 25,000 and is located near Hazratganj. It is used for hockey, boxing, basketball, and athletics.
Stadium Features
Ekana Cricket Stadium is a modern facility with:
- Floodlights for day-night matches
- Modern facilities for players (dressing rooms, gyms), officials, VIPs, and spectators
- Corporate boxes and lounges
- Press box for media personnel
- Food and beverage stalls
- Adequate parking facilities
The stadium is designed to ensure spectators are as close to the action as possible.
Which is the Biggest Stadium in Lucknow?
Which is the biggest stadium in Lucknow? The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. With a capacity of 50,000 spectators, it is not only the biggest stadium in Lucknow but also the fifth largest international cricket stadium in India.
Where is the IPL Venue in Lucknow?
Where is the IPL venue in Lucknow? The IPL venue in Lucknow is the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. It is the home ground for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) IPL franchise. All LSG home matches are played here.
IPL 2026 Home Schedule
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Lucknow a batting or bowling pitch?
2. Which is the biggest stadium in Lucknow?
3. What was the old name of Lucknow cricket stadium?
4. Where is the IPL venue in Lucknow?
5. What are the ticket prices at Ekana Stadium?
Answer: Ticket prices start from Rs 499 for general stands and go up to Rs 40,000 for luxury boxes.
6. How to buy tickets for Ekana Stadium matches?
Answer: For IPL 2026, tickets are sold exclusively through BookMyShow.
7. What are the stadium records?
8. What does the pitch report say?
9. Where can I find photos of Ekana Stadium?
Answer: Ekana Cricket Stadium photos are available on ESPNcricinfo, Times of India, and various sports news websites.
Final Thoughts
The Lucknow Cricket Stadium has become an important cricket venue in Uttar Pradesh. From its beginnings as the Ekana International Cricket Stadium to its current status as a modern facility, the stadium has hosted international matches, IPL games, and World Cup fixtures.
The name change to honor Atal Bihari Vajpayee added historical significance to this venue. The stadium’s long boundaries and black-soil pitch make it unique among Indian cricket grounds, favoring spinners and making run-scoring challenging.
Whether you are checking ticket prices to plan your next visit, reading the pitch report to understand how the match might go, or looking at records to compare your favorite players, this stadium offers something for every cricket fan.
Plan your visit, book your tickets through BookMyShow, and enjoy the thrill of live cricket at one of India’s largest stadiums.
Sources
- ICC Cricket – Official World Cup venue page
- Wikipedia – BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium
- The Hindu – India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI match report (June 17, 2026)
- Zap Cricket – Ekana Stadium overview and records
- Possible11 – Boundary dimensions and stadium details
- Crictracker – IPL records and stats at Ekana Stadium
- Sporting News – IPL 2026 Ekana Stadium pitch report
- Financial Express – LSG tickets 2026 guide
- Indian Express – LSG IPL 2026 full schedule
- IPLT20 – Mark Wood 5/14 match report (April 1, 2023)
- Asianet News – Rishabh Pant 118* vs RCB (May 27, 2025)
- Times Now – KKR 235/6 at Ekana Stadium (May 5, 2024)
- Glance – Ekana Stadium T20I and IPL records
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