Cricket Stadiums

Greenfield International Stadium

Greenfield International Stadium, part of the Sports Hub Trivandrum complex, is a multi-purpose stadium in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kerala, India, used primarily for international cricket and also for football. It was India’s first stadium built on a DBOT (design, build, operate, and transfer) model and the first developed on an annuity basis.

Quick Facts

LocationKaryavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Built on36 acres leased from the University of Kerala
Opened2015
Capacity50,000
Also known asTrivandrum International Stadium
First international match2015 SAFF Championship (football)
First international cricket match7 November 2017, T20I, India vs New Zealand
First ODI1 November 2018, India vs West Indies

History

The stadium was constructed on land leased from the University of Kerala for ₹94 lakh per year over a 15-year term, making it India’s first stadium developed under the DBOT model — meaning the operating company runs the facility for the lease period before transferring it to the university. On 27 May 2016, the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) signed a separate agreement with Kariyavattom Sports Facilities Limited to use the stadium until November 2027, with KCA granted usage rights for 180 days each year.

The venue’s first major event was the 2015 SAFF Championship in football, where India won the title on home soil. Its first international cricket match came in November 2017, a T20I between India and New Zealand that was reduced to eight overs per side due to heavy rain; India won by six runs.

The stadium received the David Vickers Award for New Venue of the Year at the Stadium Business Awards in 2016, recognising its design and facilities on a global stage.

Notable Events

  • 1 November 2018 – First ODI at the venue, India defeating West Indies by nine wickets.
  • December 2025 – Hosted its first women’s international match, a T20I between India and Sri Lanka, as part of a five-match series.
  • 2024 – Served as the centralised venue for the inaugural Kerala Cricket League.
  • The stadium has also appeared as a filming location in Tamil and Malayalam cinema, including portions of the films GOAT and Lucifer.

Records

  • Highest individual score: Virat Kohli, 166 off 110 balls vs Sri Lanka.
  • The venue’s boundaries are relatively compact — square boundaries of around 65 metres and straight boundaries of about 70 metres — though it has a reputation for offering assistance to bowlers, particularly early in matches.

Facilities and Layout

The complex is divided into four zones: north for cricket, east for football, south for shopping and dining, and an adjoining pavilion housing facilities for squash, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, and an Olympic-size swimming pool. The stadium adheres to both FIFA and ICC standards for its respective sports.

Access

Greenfield International Stadium is approximately 13.3 km from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and around 10–14 km from the city’s railway stations.


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