Ekana Cricket Stadium — Pitch Report, Weather, Tickets, Capacity, Records & Complete Guide 2025

Ekana Cricket Stadium

One of North India’s most modern and imposing cricket venues, the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow has rapidly established itself as a premier destination for international cricket, IPL action, and domestic tournaments since its first international fixture in November 2018. Officially named the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium (BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium) in honour of India’s 10th Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, this magnificent 50,000-capacity arena serves as the home ground of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League and the Uttar Pradesh men’s and women’s cricket teams. Cricket fans across India — watching live on JioHotstar and Star Sports — have seen this ground host five matches of the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup, memorable IPL encounters, and international series since its inauguration. This comprehensive Ekana Cricket Stadium pitch report, weather, tickets, and complete guide covers everything you need to know — from boundary dimensions and pitch behaviour to ticket booking, seating categories, how to reach the stadium, nearby hotels, and all-time records.

Stadium Overview & Quick Facts

Detail Information
Official Name Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium
Also Known As Ekana Cricket Stadium / BRSABV Ekana
Location Ekana Sportz City, Sector 7, Gomti Nagar Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh — 226010
Capacity 50,000
Established 2017 (first international match — November 6, 2018)
End Names North End, South End
Home Teams Lucknow Super Giants (IPL), UP Warriorz (WPL), Uttar Pradesh Cricket Team
Renamed November 2018 — after Atal Bihari Vajpayee
India Ranking 5th largest international cricket stadium in India
Budget ₹360 crore (₹3.6 billion)
Built Under Public-Private Partnership — Government of Uttar Pradesh & Ekana Sportz City Pvt. Ltd
Land Lease 35-year government lease of 71 acres (till 2052)
Broadcast Star Sports & JioHotstar (India)

Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cricket Stadium, also known as Ekana Cricket Stadium, is an international cricket stadium in Lucknow, India. The arena has a seating capacity of 50,000, and is the fifth largest international cricket stadium of India. In 2018, the stadium was renamed after India’s 10th Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It has the longest straight boundaries in comparison to all the stadiums in India.

The stadium was commissioned in 2014 under the Akhilesh Yadav government and completed in two years and eight months — a construction timeline that delivered one of India’s most technologically advanced cricket venues. The project for constructing the world-class stadium in Lucknow was commissioned in 2014 by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, and the stadium was built under public-private partnership between Ekana Sportz City.

Read More: Lucknow Super Giants — IPL 2026 Squad, Schedule & Season Preview

Ekana Cricket Stadium Pitch Report — T20I, ODI & IPL Analysis

Pitch Character & Surface Type

The Ekana pitch is a regular friend of bowlers, especially spinners and slower bowlers. Unlike some high-scoring Indian grounds, the Ekana pitch offers extra surface pace, larger boundaries, and plenty of spin assistance. The surface uses a combination of red soil and black soil — a blend that creates variation in bounce and pace that distinguishes Ekana from the flat, featherbed pitches seen at many other Indian venues.

The pitch tends to be slow and low in the early stages of a match, gradually becoming more spin-friendly as the game progresses. Batsmen who survive the initial period of adjustment — reading the variable bounce and the ball gripping into the surface — can score freely once settled. However, the lack of consistent pace through the surface means aggressive stroke play from ball one carries significant risk, particularly for batsmen who rely on the ball coming onto the bat at pace.

T20I Pitch Report

In T20I conditions at Ekana, the pitch offers a genuine contest between bat and ball across all 20 overs. The powerplay typically produces some early swing for pace bowlers in the first three overs before the pitch settles. Middle overs (7–15) are where Ekana’s spin-friendly character becomes most pronounced — the ball gripping and turning, dot-ball pressure building, and batsmen finding boundaries harder to come by.

T20 matches during 2024 saw a large rise in scoring on previous seasons, with an average first innings score of nearly 183 in T20Is at Ekana. The upward scoring trend reflects both improved batting quality and the evolution of T20 batting intent globally rather than any fundamental change in pitch character.

T20I Pitch Verdict: Balanced — pacers in the powerplay, spinners in the middle overs, chasing teams have a slight advantage in night matches due to dew.

ODI Pitch Report

ODI matches at Ekana tend to produce more competitive cricket than T20Is, with the pitch’s slow nature rewarding patience and punishing recklessness across 50 overs. The ball deteriorates as the innings progresses, with reverse swing becoming a factor from around the 30-over mark if conditions are dry. Spinners remain influential throughout the middle period, and teams that build partnerships steadily rather than attacking from ball one tend to post more competitive totals.

Highest ODI score at Ekana: 199/2 (India vs Sri Lanka, 2022). Top score in all ODIs at the ground: 311/7 (South Africa vs Australia, 2023 World Cup).

ODI Pitch Verdict: Batting-friendly but with genuine bowling assistance throughout. Average total of 240–270 in day-night ODIs.

IPL Pitch Report

The Ekana Cricket Stadium pitch is known for its slow, low-bouncing nature, making it a paradise for spinners like Ravi Bishnoi and Krunal Pandya. In IPL matches, the average first-innings score is around 168.67, with teams chasing having a slight edge (50% win rate). Dew in evening games often aids batting in the second innings, leading to thrilling T20 chases.

Teams batting at this iconic venue have collectively scored 8,422 runs off 968.2 overs at an overall strike rate of 144.96, averaging 336.9 runs per innings across 25 IPL matches. There have been 1,791 dot balls (30.8% of deliveries) and 2,273 singles rotated. The 30.8% dot ball rate — one of the highest at any Indian T20 venue — confirms that Ekana rewards bowling discipline and punishes batting imprecision more than most IPL grounds.

IPL Pitch Verdict: Bowler-friendly in the first innings, dew makes chasing easier in day-night matches. Teams winning the toss often prefer to bowl first in evening games. Spinners are most dangerous between overs 7–15.

Toss Analysis

Match Format Toss Winner Preference Reason
T20I (Day-Night) Bowl first Dew aids batting in 2nd innings
T20I (Afternoon) Bat first Pitch settles as game progresses
ODI (Day-Night) Bowl first Conditions improve for batting in second half
IPL Bowl first (slight) Dew factor in night games; pressure on chasing team reduces as pitch plays easier

Read More: IPL 2025 Pitch Report Guide — All Venues, Conditions & Toss Analysis

Boundary Dimensions & Ground Layout

Boundary Direction Distance
Straight (longest in India) 81 metres
Square (longer side) 76 metres
Square (shorter side) 69 metres
Overall character Large boundaries, particularly straight

The longer square boundary is 76 metres long, the shorter one is 69 metres. Straight boundaries are 81 metres long — the longest in the country.

Ekana’s straight boundaries being the longest of any cricket ground in India is a critically important statistic for both batsmen and bowlers. For batsmen who prefer hitting straight — particularly those who drive through the V or clear the boundary over the bowler’s head — Ekana demands a higher ball-striking quality to convert good contact into sixes compared to most other Indian venues. For bowlers, the longer straight boundary provides significant protection against straight hitting, making full-pitched yorkers and low full-tosses safer deliveries than at grounds with shorter straight dimensions.

The ground’s two ends — North End and South End — offer similar bowling conditions, with no pronounced advantage of ends in terms of prevailing wind or background visibility. The square boundaries at 69–76 metres are competitive but not prohibitively long, meaning midwicket and cover sixes are achievable for power-hitters while still requiring genuine hitting quality.

Weather & Climate at Lucknow

Lucknow experiences a humid subtropical climate with distinct seasonal variation that significantly affects match conditions at Ekana throughout the year.

Season Months Temperature Match Impact
Summer (IPL season) March–June 30–45°C Hot and dry; afternoon matches uncomfortable; evening matches ideal
Monsoon July–September 28–35°C Heavy rainfall; matches likely affected; outfield drainage is excellent
Post-Monsoon October–November 20–30°C Ideal conditions; World Cup matches hosted in this period
Winter December–February 8–25°C Cold mornings, pleasant afternoons; international series preferred

Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, India, experiences a humid subtropical climate characterised by distinct seasons. Winters, from late November to February, are cool and dry, with average temperatures around 25°C during the day and dropping to 3–10°C at night. Summers, from late March to June, are hot and dry, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C. The monsoon season, from July to October, brings the majority of the city’s annual rainfall, averaging 827.2 mm.

Rain Risk Assessment by Month:

Month Rain Risk Advisory
January–February Very Low Ideal for Test/ODI cricket
March–April Low IPL season — occasional dust storms
May–June Low-Medium Late IPL; hot but manageable evenings
July–August High Monsoon — match delays possible
September–October Medium Improving; World Cup window
November–December Very Low Best conditions for international cricket

Dew Factor: Evening matches at Ekana from October through February carry a significant dew factor that makes bowling difficult in the second innings. Teams batting second benefit from easier conditions as the ball skids through more rapidly on a dew-laden outfield — a key tactical consideration for captains winning the toss in this period.

Ekana Cricket Stadium Records & Stats

All-Time Records at Ekana

Category Record Match/Player
Highest Team Total (All formats) 311/7 South Africa vs Australia, 2023 World Cup
Highest Team Total (T20I) 199/2 India vs Sri Lanka, 2022
Highest Team Total (IPL) 235/6 KKR vs LSG, IPL 2024
Lowest Team Total (IPL) 108 LSG vs RCB, IPL 2023
Best Bowling (IPL) 5/14 Mark Wood (LSG vs DC, IPL 2023)
Best Bowling (Test) 7/75 Rahkeem Cornwall (WI vs Afghanistan, 2019)
Highest Individual Score (International T20I) 111* Rohit Sharma vs West Indies, 2018
Highest Individual Score (IPL) 118* Rishabh Pant (LSG)
Leading IPL Run-Scorer 566 runs KL Rahul (14 matches)
Leading IPL Wicket-Taker 19 wickets Ravi Bishnoi (LSG)
Highest Successful Chase (IPL) 177/2 Punjab Kings vs LSG

First International Match

On November 6, 2018, the stadium hosted its first international match, a T20I between India and the West Indies, becoming the 52nd stadium in India to host an international cricket match. International cricket returned to Lucknow after 24 years. In that match, Rohit Sharma became the first cricketer to score four centuries in T20Is. India won that match by 71 runs. historic fourth T20I century — 111* off 43 balls against West Indies — on the stadium’s inaugural international night remains Ekana’s most celebrated individual batting performance in international cricket, a record that was created in the very first match the ground hosted.

IPL Records at Ekana

The highest IPL total at Ekana Cricket Stadium is 235/6 posted by Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024 against Lucknow Super Giants on May 5, 2024. Lucknow Supergiants were bowled out on just 108 runs while chasing a target of 127 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 1, 2023.

IPL Match Results Summary (Ekana)

Category Stat
Total IPL Matches Hosted 25+
Teams Batting First Won 8
Teams Batting Second Won 9
No Result 1
Average First Innings Score (IPL) ~168–170
Total IPL Runs Scored 8,422+
Total IPL Wickets Fallen 310+
Dot Ball Percentage 30.8%
Total Fours 716
Total Sixes 333

LSG’s Home Record at Ekana

Being the home side, Lucknow Supergiants have played 19 IPL matches at their home ground. Out of these 19 games, LSG have won nine, with a winning percentage of 47.36%.

IPL Top Performers at Ekana

Top Run-Scorers (IPL at Ekana)

Player Team Matches Runs
KL Rahul LSG 14 566
Ayush Badoni LSG 19 373
Nicholas Pooran LSG 20 355
Rishabh Pant LSG 118* (highest individual)

Top Wicket-Takers (IPL at Ekana)

Player Team Wickets Best Figures
Ravi Bishnoi LSG 19
Mark Wood LSG Multiple 5/14 (best IPL figures at Ekana)

Ravi Bishnoi leads the IPL wicket-takers at Ekana with 19 wickets, confirming the ground’s strong affinity for leg-spin and quality spin bowling in general.

2023 World Cup Matches at Ekana

Ekana’s most high-profile international moment came during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, when the stadium hosted five matches — including India’s 100-run victory over England. A handful of key games were played in Lucknow including India’s 100-run win against England. Rohit Sharma scored the first international T20 century at Ekana Cricket Stadium.

Read More: 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup — Complete Results, Scorecards & India’s Journey

Tickets — Price, Booking & Seating Guide

Ticket Price Ranges (IPL 2025–2026)

Stand Category Price Range
General Stand ₹499 – ₹2,000
Premium Stand ₹2,500 – ₹5,000
VIP / Hospitality ₹7,500 – ₹20,000
Corporate / Luxury Boxes ₹50,000 – ₹1,50,000

The tickets for IPL 2025 LSG home matches at Ekana Cricket Stadium are available on BookMyShow. The prices vary from INR 499 to INR 20,000.

How to Book Ekana Cricket Stadium Tickets Online

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Visit BookMyShow (bookmyshow.com) or Paytm Insider (insider.paytm.com)
  2. Search “Ekana Stadium” or “LSG IPL 2025” in the search bar
  3. Select your preferred match from the list of upcoming fixtures
  4. Choose your stand category and seat (interactive seating map available)
  5. Complete payment via UPI, net banking, credit/debit card
  6. Receive e-ticket via email and SMS
  7. Download ticket to your phone — carry digital or printout to the venue

Tickets for IPL 2025 matches at Ekana Stadium can be booked online through BookMyShow or offline at the stadium’s ticket counter. The online process is more convenient, allowing seat selection and digital payment, with the option for home delivery of tickets.

For LSG home matches specifically:
You can also visit the Lucknow Super Giants official website, select the IPL 2025 match you want to attend, select the venue, pick your preferred seating category, choose seats, proceed to payment, and confirm the booking. You’ll receive an e-ticket or details for physical ticket via email or SMS.

Offline Ticket Booking

Counters usually open a few days before the event. After booking online, you must redeem your ticket at the stadium counter by presenting your booking confirmation and a valid ID. Offline counters are available at the stadium premises and authorised outlets around Lucknow. Offline tickets sell out rapidly for high-demand matches — online booking is strongly recommended.

Stadium Entry Rules

Stadium Rules: Only transparent water bottles and wallets are allowed; food and bags are prohibited. Carry ID: Bring valid ID for ticket verification.

Key entry rules at a glance:

  • Valid photo ID mandatory (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Driving Licence)
  • No outside food or drinks
  • No large bags — small transparent pouches permitted
  • No power banks
  • No professional cameras (mobile phones permitted)
  • No sharp objects or any items that could disrupt spectators
  • E-tickets accepted; physical printout also valid

Best Stands to Choose

Fan Type Recommended Stand
Budget-conscious General Stand — good visibility, affordable
Families with children Premium Stand — more space, better amenities
Corporate/group outings VIP or Hospitality Lounge
Best pitch-facing view Central Premium sections
Covered seating preference Upper deck Premium sections

How to Reach Ekana Cricket Stadium

The stadium is located in Gomti Nagar Extension — one of Lucknow’s most well-connected residential and commercial zones.

Full Address: Ekana Sportz City, Sector 7, Gomti Nagar Extension, Amar Shaheed Path, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh — 226010

By Metro (Recommended)

Use the red line on the Lucknow Metro, which is close to the Ekana Stadium. Get off at the Indira Nagar Metro Station or any one of the other stops around it, and from there take a cab or other mode of transport to reach the stadium. It could take about 25 minutes from the metro stations. During IPL matches or any other international cricket match days, the local municipality allows this metro line to run till late in the night.

By Bus

There are LCTSL buses that run and you can catch any one of them which stops at the Ekana Stadium Bus Stop or the SUDA Office Bus Stop. Feeder buses also operate specifically on match days to reduce congestion and improve access from key transit hubs.

By Air

You can fly down to the Lucknow Airport — Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport. The stadium is about 17 km from the airport and you can take the Red Line metro from the airport and get off at the Indira Nagar Station, from where you can take a bus or cab to the stadium.

By Road / Cab

Ola and Uber are widely available throughout Lucknow and reliably service the Ekana Cricket Stadium area. On match days, road congestion near the Gomti Nagar Extension approach can add 30–45 minutes to journey times — plan accordingly.

Distance from Key Lucknow Landmarks

Location Distance Approximate Travel Time
Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport 17 km 35–45 minutes
Lucknow Railway Station (Charbagh) 12 km 25–35 minutes
Hazratganj (city centre) 10 km 20–30 minutes
Bara Imambara 12 km 25–35 minutes
Aminabad Market 11 km 25–30 minutes

Parking

The stadium offers 1,000+ parking slots, with charges of ₹50–₹100 for two-wheelers and ₹200–₹300 for cars. Arrive early to secure a spot. On high-demand match days — particularly LSG vs CSK, RCB, or MI — the parking areas fill rapidly. Arriving at least two hours before the match start is strongly advised.

Nearby Hotels, Food & Attractions

Hotels Near Ekana Cricket Stadium

Hotel Category Distance Approximate Price Per Night
Hyatt Regency Lucknow Luxury 4–10 km ₹8,000–₹15,000
Novotel Lucknow Premium 3–5 km ₹6,000–₹10,000
Lebua Lucknow Luxury 8 km ₹9,000–₹18,000
Hotel Levana Mid-range 8 km ₹3,000–₹5,000
Gomti Nagar budget guesthouses Budget 2–3 km ₹800–₹2,000

Must-Try Food Near Ekana

Lucknow is one of India’s great culinary cities — especially famous for its Awadhi kebabs and biryani. After or before the match, these are the must-visit spots:

Try local eateries like Dastarkhwan (10 km) for kebabs or Royal Café for chaat. Gomti Nagar’s street food stalls serve delicious kebabs and chaat. Tunday Kababi (5 km) is a must-visit for authentic Lucknowi cuisine.

The most celebrated food destinations near Ekana: Tunday Kababi (Aminabad — legendary for galouti kebabs), Dastarkhwan (multiple Lucknow locations — full Awadhi thali), Idris ki Biryani (old city — famous since 1937), and the street food stalls along Gomti Nagar’s main commercial stretch serving basket chaat and shahi tukda.

Attractions Near Ekana Cricket Stadium

Attraction Distance Description
Bara Imambara 12 km UNESCO-listed 18th-century Shia Muslim complex; Bhool Bhulaiya maze
Ambedkar Park 5 km Massive memorial park; ideal for pre-match walk
Hazratganj Market 10 km Lucknow’s historic commercial hub; shopping and street food
Lucknow Zoo 8 km Popular family destination
Rumi Darwaza 11 km Iconic Mughal-era gateway; Lucknow’s most photographed monument

Stadium Facilities & Infrastructure

Ekana Cricket Stadium was built to international standards across every dimension — a reflection of the ₹360 crore investment and the ambition to host ICC events regularly.

Key Facilities:

  • Floodlighting capable of full day-night international fixtures
  • Large electronic scoreboards visible from all stands
  • Multiple food concession stalls within the stadium concourse
  • Dedicated VIP and hospitality lounges with premium catering
  • Media centre and commentary boxes equipped to ICC broadcast standards
  • First-class practice facilities — nets, indoor training facility, and a separate B Ground within the Ekana Sportz City complex for team training
  • World-class drainage system that enables rapid outfield drying after heavy rainfall
  • Accessible facilities and ramps for fans with mobility requirements
  • Ample restroom facilities across all spectator levels

The atmosphere for matches at BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium is arguably one of the most important cricket venues in India. The stadium provides a platform for competitive cricket ranging from IPL thrillers to international contests, giving equal opportunity to both batters and bowlers. It is unlike most Indian grounds — with extra surface pace, larger boundaries, and plenty of spin assistance.

Upcoming Matches at Ekana 2025–2026

For the latest and most accurate match schedule at Ekana Cricket Stadium, including IPL 2026 fixtures for Lucknow Super Giants and any upcoming international matches, check:

  • Official BCCI website: bcci.tv
  • IPL official website: iplt20.com
  • JioHotstar app: For live schedule and streaming information
  • Lucknow Super Giants official website: For LSG-specific home match announcements
  • BookMyShow: For ticket availability and match-day updates

Match Summary & Conclusion

The Ekana Cricket Stadium has transformed Lucknow from a city with a 24-year gap in international cricket hosting into one of India’s most significant and respected cricketing venues in fewer than eight years. The arena has a seating capacity of 50,000 and is the fifth largest international cricket stadium in India. It has the longest straight boundaries in comparison to all the stadiums in India. These two facts — the scale of the crowd it accommodates and the unique boundary dimensions that create a distinctive tactical environment — summarise why Ekana has earned a permanent place on India’s international cricket hosting roster.

For cricket fans planning a visit, the ground offers a complete match-day experience: Lucknow’s celebrated culinary scene, modern stadium infrastructure, passionate local support, and a pitch that consistently produces competitive cricket across all formats. Whether you are attending an IPL thriller for Lucknow Super Giants or an international fixture during the winter season, Ekana delivers the atmosphere and facilities that make live cricket in India such a unique sporting experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the seating capacity of Ekana Cricket Stadium?
The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium has a seating capacity of 50,000, making it the fifth largest international cricket stadium in India.

What is the pitch report at Ekana Cricket Stadium?
Ekana Cricket Stadium’s pitch is a regular friend of bowlers, especially spinners and slower bowlers. The ball comes slow off the surface making it difficult for batters to find boundaries. Average first innings IPL scores are around 168–170. Teams winning the toss in day-night matches generally prefer to bowl first to take advantage of dew in the second innings.

What is the longest boundary at Ekana Cricket Stadium?
The straight boundaries at Ekana Cricket Stadium are 81 metres long — the longest straight boundaries of any cricket stadium in India. The longer square boundary is 76 metres and the shorter square boundary is 69 metres.

How to book Ekana Cricket Stadium tickets?
Tickets for IPL matches at Ekana Stadium can be booked online through BookMyShow or offline at the stadium’s ticket counter. For LSG IPL matches specifically, Paytm Insider and the Lucknow Super Giants official website are also authorised platforms. Ticket prices range from ₹499 for general stands to ₹20,000+ for VIP hospitality.

How to reach Ekana Cricket Stadium?
Use the Red Line on the Lucknow Metro and get off at the Indira Nagar Metro Station, then take a cab or local transport to the stadium — approximately 25 minutes. The stadium is about 17 km from Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport. LCTSL buses also serve the Ekana Stadium Bus Stop on match days.

What is the highest IPL score at Ekana Cricket Stadium?
The highest IPL total at Ekana Cricket Stadium is 235/6 posted by Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024 against Lucknow Super Giants on May 5, 2024. The lowest total is 108 — scored by Lucknow Super Giants against Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2023.

Who was the first cricketer to score an international century at Ekana?
In the first international match hosted at Ekana on November 6, 2018 — a T20I between India and West Indies — Rohit Sharma became the first cricketer to score four centuries in T20Is, scoring 111* in that match. India won by 71 runs.

Where can fans watch Ekana Stadium matches on TV?
All international matches and IPL fixtures at Ekana Cricket Stadium are broadcast on the Star Sports network and streamed live on JioHotstar in India, available on mobile, tablet, smart TV, and web browser with Hindi and English commentary options.