Mumbai Football Arena
Mumbai Football Arena is a football stadium in Mumbai, India. It is located in the Andheri Sports Complex. It is one of the only few dedicated football stadiums in the country, which has been hugely appreciated by football pundits and players alike, and has hosted many games for the national team.
Andheri Sports Complex | |
 Matchday against Odisha FC in 2023 | |
| Full name | Mumbai Football Arena |
|---|---|
| Former names | Shahaji Raje Krida Sankul |
| Location | Veera Desai Road, Andheri West, Mumbai |
| Coordinates | 19°7′46.0164″N 72°50′10.1718″E |
| Public transit | Azad Nagar metro station (metro) Andheri railway station (suburban railway) |
| Owner | Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation |
| Operator | Mumbai City FC |
| Capacity | 6,600 |
| Record attendance | 8890 in 2018 Intercontinental Cup (India) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Scoreboard | Yes |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1988 |
| Opened | 1988 |
| Renovated | 2023 |
| Tenants | |
| India national football team (2016–present) Mumbai City FC (2016–present) | |
Routine usage
It serves as the home stadium of Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League from the 2016 Indian Super League season after the team played their first 2 seasons at the DY Patil Stadium. The football stadium holds a capacity of 6,600 spectators after the installation of bucket seats.
Notable events
The India national football team played a FIFA international friendly on 3 September 2016 beating Puerto Rico national football team 4–1 in front of a packed stadium. This was the first international friendly hosted by the city in 61 years.
The stadium hosted the 2017 Hero Tri-Nation Series between India, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Mauritius, which was won by India after topping the table.
In June 2018, the stadium hosted all 7 matches of the 2018 Intercontinental Cup, in which the Indian men's football team played against Kenya, New Zealand, and Chinese Taipei in a four-way tournament.[1] India beat Kenya 2–0 in the final to win the tournament.[2] The stadium was sold out for all the games for India after the first home game against Chinese Taipei which saw a poor turnout after Sunil Chhetri made an emotional appeal asking the fans to come and support the national team play in the stadium.
It hosted the 2019 Indian Super League Final featuring Bengaluru FC and FC Goa. Bengaluru F.C won the match due to a late goal from defender and local boy Rahul Bheke. This was Bengaluru F.C's first Indian Super League final win after losing in the final the previous year against Chennaiyin FC
It was one of the host venues of 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup.
Redevelopment
Aditya Thackeray, a local politician, and Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor are known to have played an important role in the redevelopment of the stadium.[3]
Design and atmosphere
Before the beginning of 2022-23 Indian Super League season, the stadium was renovated and bucket seats were installed throughout the stadium, giving it an even attractive look. Earlier, the stadium could hold 7690-9000 fans. The stadium is hugely appreciated by fans and players alike for it catering an electric atmosphere whenever a match is held there.
See also
References
- Noronha, Anselm. "2018 Intercontinental Cup: Teams, fixtures, TV guide & venue". Goal.com. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- "Constantine Lauds Sunil Chhetri and Boys After Winning Intercontinental Cup". News18. Press Trust of India. 11 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- "Indian Football: Aaditya Thackeray - The brain behind Mumbai Football Arena". goal.com. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mumbai_Football_Arena.jpg
