If you plan to travel to Kolkata, India, consider checking out the Netaji Indoor Stadium. This popular sports venue opened its doors in 1975 and is still going strong today, hosting many sporting events and welcoming hundreds of thousands of attendees each year.
With so much to offer, it might be hard to narrow down your options. Still, luckily for you, I’ve written this comprehensive review of Netaji Indoor Stadium that will cover everything from entrance fees and ticket prices to facilities available to patrons and more!
What is Netaji Indoor Stadium?
The indoor stadium is one of the oldest stadiums in India. It was built in 1975 and is located at Jawaharlal Nehru Road, near the Esplanade bus terminus and adjacent to Mohan Bagan Ground. The stadium has a seating capacity of 12,000 seats.
Netaji Indoor Stadium was named after freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, who once visited Kolkata. The venue hosted wrestling and boxing events during the 2011 Commonwealth Games. After renovation, it hosted football matches for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification.
How to Get There?
If you’re traveling from out of town to attend an event at Netaji Indoor Stadium, you’ll have to get to New Town station first.
Trains run from New Town to Sealdah (Kolkata), where you’ll switch for another train that takes about 30 minutes and drops you off near Metro Cinema on D.L. Roy Road near Rabindra Sarobar Lake.
From there, it’s a 10-minute walk. Public transit isn’t efficient, and taxis don’t drop off here—you might want to consider getting a rented vehicle or a bike if you’re going to make your arrival hassle-free.
The stadium is open from 11:00 am to 5 pm every day. The Venue: It’s pretty easy to miss Netaji Indoor Stadium as you approach it because its entrance is hidden behind trees, which makes sense since there are no parking facilities nearby.
The stadium can accommodate up to 12,000 people; most events happen during weekdays when school is in session and attract mostly students between ages 15–25.
What Can I Do at the Indoor Stadium?
Indoor stadiums are ideal venues for hosting events—and it’s no different with Kolkata’s Netaji Indoor Stadium. That said, here’s a look at some everyday activities held at indoor stadiums:
Sporting Events:
But sports can be played indoors as well! Many indoor arenas have been built to host basketball and ice hockey games. People often use these facilities for major sporting events like NCAA tournaments.
Concerts:
While many concerts occur outdoors in natural theaters or concert halls that provide superior acoustics, indoor stadiums have sometimes been built for musical performances. These are especially popular during colder months when it’s not feasible to hold outdoor concerts.
Trade Shows:
Trade shows aren’t just for big-box retailers and car dealerships anymore; smaller businesses now host trade shows in their local convention centers. Of course, conventions can be hosted inside large indoor stadiums too!
For example, CES (the Consumer Electronics Show) is one of America’s largest annual conventions and takes place inside Las Vegas’ massive Las Vegas Convention Center.
Tips for First-Time Visitors:
Before we review, you should know a few things about visiting The Netaji Indoor Stadium.
First and foremost, no shoes are allowed inside, so it’s wise to leave your sneakers at home. Some events (such as gymnastics) take place on soft matting that covers much of the floor.
Other sports (such as tennis) occur on hardwood or synthetic surfaces that can be slippery if you’re not wearing appropriate footwear; wear something with a non-marking sole if possible.
Be sure to bring your water since drinking fountains are limited, and refreshment stands can sell drinks for exorbitant prices; bottled water is available at concessions and kiosks outside but is more expensive than beverages inside an event.
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