Why does watching cricket in Indian stadiums feel like a test of endurance?

Ever tried watching a live cricket match in India, only to feel like you’re the one playing a five-day test match with the odds crazily stacked against you?

For cricket-crazy India, where cricketers are adored like gods, you’d think stadiums would be a fan’s paradise. Yet, stepping into most Indian stadiums is an exercise in pain, patience and discomfort. Here’s why many of us—while we still love the game—are fed up with the stadium experience, along with a few changes we’d love to see.

1) Ticket trouble: From scarcity to chaos

You might score tickets after a long, confusing ordeal only to see half-empty stands on game day. Why? Tickets are often reserved for people who don’t show up, rather than for the die-hard fans.

It pained me to see so many empty seats at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad during the ODI World-cup final between Australia and India. Fans had paid a few lakhs to get hold of the tickets in the black market!

Coming to the process, the online ticketing process is unpredictable, with no set release times. Sometimes, you even have to pick up physical tickets in advance! Are we back in the 90s? 

And good luck trying to buy tickets at the stadium counter—they’re nearly extinct, with no clear announcements on when or where tickets might be sold.

2) Uncomfortable, Cramped Seating

Many stadiums have finally moved from cement steps to bucket seats, but they’re so cramped they make budget airline seats seem luxurious.

No legroom, no elbow room, and often covered in dust, these seats feel like punishment rather than the start of an exciting game. Fans spend hours on these uncomfortable seats—how about a little comfort?

3) Dirty Washrooms: A fan’s worst fear

The stadium washrooms are worse than many public toilets across the country. Once the game is on, cleaning seems to stop. Many women, in particular, avoid drinking water just to spare themselves a trip to these grim facilities. Is it too much to ask for clean, well-maintained washrooms?

A friend of mine who recently moved to India from the US simply refused to used the washroom at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

4) Litter Everywhere: A dirty mountain of waste

Chips packets, paper cups, and plastic bags—litter is everywhere in the stands. Dustbins are rare, so fans end up shoving waste under their seats, where it stays. Watching a game shouldn’t come with a side of sitting in trash.

5) Ridiculously strict carry-in rules

Apart from your phone, almost everything else is banned. You can’t bring in bluetooth headphones, posters, water bottles, or even small snacks—items essential for young kids or seniors. Flags are allowed, but don’t think about bringing a flagpole! We get that security is important, but this level of restriction feels a bit extreme.

We have made a nice poster for a match in Wankhede stadium in Mumbai but were forced to discard it at the gate! Come one, it was just a piece of cardboard.

6) Pricey, Low-Quality food and beverage options

Outside food and beverages are banned, so fans are left with limited, overpriced choices inside the stadium. While free water should be available, many fans end up buying expensive bottled water. For those with kids, dietary restrictions, or specific needs, the lack of decent food options adds to the frustration.

The water situation is so ridiculous that fans have revolted and police interventions have been needed. Fans spend more on the expensive water bottles and food compared to the ticket cost!

7) Zero accessibility for differently-abled fans

Indian stadiums seem designed without any thought for accessibility. Ramps, elevators, wheelchair-friendly areas? They’re rare, if they exist at all. Even senior citizens struggle, with no priority seating or proper facilities.

And should a medical emergency arise, first-aid stations are minimal and poorly managed.

8) Entry and Exit: A chaotic struggle

Getting into and out of the stadium almost always feels like punishment. Entry lines are tight, poorly managed, and at the mercy of security personnel. There are often not enough security checkpoints or turnstiles, leading to long, frustrating waits.

We experienced a entry queue of more than a hour in a match at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This was a Pakistan- New Zealand game in the 2024 ODI World Cup.   

Parking? Unless you’re a VIP, forget it. If parking is available, it’s usually far from the stadium entrance, forcing fans to walk for kilometers.

And the newest rule: no re-entry, even during multi-day Test matches! I wonder where will such apathy towards the fans stop.

9) At the mercy of the elements

Fans sitting in uncovered stands are fully exposed to sun, rain, and heat. In tightly packed stadiums in hot and humid cities, the atmosphere can feel like a boiler room, with nowhere to escape the discomfort. Try watching a test match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai to experience a real boiler room!

10) Obstructed Views: Watching through bars and nets

If you’re in the lower stands, expect a restricted view, thanks to tall metal barriers and mesh nets blocking the boundary lines. The few seats with great views are usually in VIP sections with sky-high prices, which mostly stay empty.

Conclusion

Watching cricket in an Indian stadium shouldn’t be such a chore, especially for the loyal fans who make Indian cricket what it is. We’ll always love the game, but wouldn’t it be nice if our stadiums authorities treated fans with the same enthusiasm?