Amazing Facts about Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, also known as Salt Lake Stadium, is a multipurpose sports stadium in Kolkata. It is the second largest stadium in the world regarding seating capacity, with a total capacity of 85,000 spectators. In addition to sporting events, the stadium also hosts concerts, exhibitions and other cultural events. It has state-of-the-art infrastructure, such as a synthetic sports track, floodlights and a digital scoreboard.
The stadium is named after Swami Vivekananda, a famous Indian philosopher and spiritual leader who emphasized the importance of physical fitness and sports in life. The stadium has become a symbol of Kolkata's vibrant sports culture, attracting thousands of sports enthusiasts and spectators annually.
The History of Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Kriranga, also known as Salt Lake Stadium, was inaugurated in January 1984. It was built by the West Bengal government as part of the preparations for the 1987 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Kolkata. The stadium initially had 120,000 seats, making it the largest stadium in the world at the time. However, accommodation was reduced along with security requirements.
Over the years, the stadium has hosted several international sporting events, including the 1989 Asian Cup, the 1997 South Asian Games and the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. It has also been the home ground for several Kolkata football clubs, including East Bengal FC, Mohun Bagan AC and ATK Mohun Bagan. In 2015, the stadium was renamed Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in honour of Swami Vivekananda.
Ideal Time to Visit​
All Season
Ideal Duration​
3-4 Hours
How to Reach
By Road: Multiple modes of transport like buses, taxis, and cabs are easily available.
By Train: Nearest Railway Station is Sealdah.
By Air: Nearest Airport is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport.
Distance from Nearest Railway Station / Airport
5.8 Km from Sealdah Railway Station and 13.6 Km from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport.
