The region of Vidarbha is increasingly under the spotlight for sports infrastructure development. A closer look reveals four stadium venues that, while not yet established ‘international’ sports arenas, present strong potential to become venues of international standard. Without editorial judgement or recommendations, this article presents factual details about each venue and its context.

The reader will find here clear descriptions, capacities, redevelopment plans and existing usage for each site in Vidarbha.

These examples reflect the growing emphasis on regional sports infrastructure beyond the usual metropolitan hubs. Below are the venues, numbered for clarity.

1. Yashwant Stadium, Nagpur

Yashwant Stadium is located in Nagpur city and currently functions primarily as a football stadium. The facility has a seating capacity of approximately 30,000. The municipal authority of Nagpur, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), has approved for a consultant to draw up a technical design and business plan for this stadium on the model of a multi-sport ‘TransStadia’ concept. The redevelopment plan aims to expand the facility to cater for both indoor and outdoor sports and improve parking and player amenities. A structural audit of the stadium by the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur (VNIT) has been commissioned, reflecting the age of the facility (constructed between 1970 and 1974). The stadium’s older status, central location and planned redevelopment suggest that it could serve larger, possibly international, events in the future.

It is already used for large gatherings and matches in the region, showing existing community and sporting utility. At this stage the venue is not yet elevated to full international-level certification, but its infrastructure baseline and plans provide promise.

2. Divisional Sports Complex (Mankapur), Nagpur

The Divisional Sports Complex, located in the Mankapur region of Nagpur, is a major sports facility with both indoor and outdoor components. It is situated at 28 Jai Hind Nagar Road, Jafar Nagar, New Mankapur, Nagpur-440030. The indoor stadium within this complex has a documented seating capacity of at least 5,000. The venue already hosts numerous sports events, including athletics practice on a synthetic track, which was relaid under the supervision of the Maharashtra Athletics Association (MAA). The facility is currently subject to a large redevelopment plan, including a ₹683 crore expansion approved by the Maharashtra government. Further reports indicate that the project will incorporate an Olympic-size swimming pool, squash and tennis courts, football and hockey pavilions, and an archery range. The complex thus presents potential for hosting international multi-sport events once the upgrades are completed.

Its existing mixed-venue nature (indoor/outdoor) adds to its potential value. The provision of residential hostels and accommodation for athletes is also included, indicating a shift towards higher-grade competition readiness.

3. HVPM Open Stadium and Athletics Facilities, Amravati

In Amravati, the sports institution Shree Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal (HVPM) operates an open stadium and a running track among its range of facilities. The open stadium was built at a cost of some ₹2 crores and accommodates approximately 15,000 spectators. The facilities include a running track, indoor stadium, judo hall, indoor badminton, yoga hall and other amenities. The presence of both an open stadium with substantial spectator capacity and an athletics track suggests possible suitability for regional athletics meets and football or multi-sports events. Located in the Vidarbha region, this facility could serve as a venue of higher sporting status given relevant upgrades.

The venue is associated with a historic institution (established in 1914) and its multi-facility nature makes it more than a single-sport site. Though it may not yet host major international competitions, the baseline structure supports the idea of future elevation.

4. Akola Cricket Club Ground, Akola

Located in Akola, Vidarbha, the Akola Cricket Club Ground is a long-standing cricket venue. It hosted two first-class matches in the mid-1980s (1983/84 and 1984/85) in the Ranji Trophy. The ground’s profile indicates that it has dimensions, practice wickets, and a pavilion managed through the local club and affiliated with the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA). The fact that it has hosted first-class cricket gives it a documented history of higher-tier competition. While currently its usage may be mostly local, its existing infrastructure (match wickets, pavilion, practice facilities) provides a foundation for a potential upgrade to meet international or associate-level cricket venue status.

As a site in the broader Vidarbha region beyond Nagpur city, this ground broadens the geographical spread of potential international-venue locations.

These four stadium venues in Vidarbha illustrate the region’s growing footprint in sports infrastructure. Without passing judgment on policy, finance or priority, the facts show that each site has a measurable baseline and in some cases active redevelopment for elevated sporting status. Their capacities, structural characteristics, and upgrade plans align with what would be expected in venues that could host higher-level competitions. While none is yet hosting regular full-fledged international tournaments, the record and plans suggest the possibility.

The significance lies in the diversity of sites, football or athletics stadium, indoor and outdoor multi-sport complex, open athletics venue and a historic cricket ground. For stakeholders or observers of Indian sports infrastructure, these venues merit attention for how regional infrastructure may evolve.