The Best Indoor and Outdoor Sports Arenas in Chennai
From being the birthplace of sporting greats such as Viswanathan Anand to being home to some of the most successful league franchises in both IPL and ISL, Chennai has given its fair share and more to sports in India. However, what really fosters this city’s culture of sports is a sporting infrastructure second to none in the country. Here is a list of some of Chennai’s most popular sporting venues where you can get your game mode on.
Major Stadiums
1. MA Chidambaram Stadium (Cricket)
Stadium
2. SDAT Tennis Stadium
Stadium
3. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Stadium
Aquatic, Motorsports, and Indoor sports arenas
4. Velachery Aquatic Complex
Velachery Aquatic Complex
This SDAT-run complex located on Velachery Main Road is one of the few in the city that perfectly merge national and international sports infrastructure with the sporting needs of locals. The aquatic complex is visited by a large number of high-level athletes and is home to several coaches trained by the National Institute of Sports. However, at the same time, it also attracts large numbers of locals through its reasonably priced coaching classes and membership fees. Apart from swimming, the complex also has facilities for other sports such as gymnastics.
SDAT Aquatic Complex, Velachery, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India,+91 44 2235 4381
5. Irungattukottai Race Track
Irungattukottai Race Track
The Irungattukottai Race Track or the Madras Motor Race Track was the first permanent motorsports track to be constructed in India and continues to be one of the country’s foremost venues for motorsports. The race track has been home to the likes of Karun Chandhok, one of the only two Indians to have driven in Formula One (while the other, Narain Karthikeyan, began his career with a win at this track). With a full-circuit length of 3.7 kms featuring 12 turns, this internationally certified race track regularly hosts major events for both rally and bike racing.
MMRT Irungattukottai, Sriperumbadur, Tamil Nadu, India,+91 98410 65135
Nehru Park Sports Complex
The Nehru Park Sports Complex is one of the most popular SDAT (Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu) sports venues for locals in Chennai. Thanks to green environment and reasonable fees for membership and coaching, the park attracts hordes of locals interested in various sports. The Sports Complex has eight squash courts that are used by national and international players and also has facilities for other sports such as hockey, basketball, and badminton.
Alternative Public Sports Turfs
6. Turf 137
Turf 137
With playgrounds in the city falling prey to encroachments or construction, several private turfs have sprouted across the city to fill the gap. One of the newest among these is Turf 137 in Velachery, which is also the first five-a-side football arena approved by Fifa in the city. Located right on Velachery Main Road, one of Chennai’s arterial roads, the turf has been a tremendous hit among football enthusiasts in the city, with the venue featuring packed crowds on most evenings. Apart from regular local fixtures, Turf 137 also hosts several exhibition matches. Its inaugural match even saw participation from the I-League team Chennai City FC, who are one of Chennai’s biggest football clubs.
Turf 137, Maduvinkarai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India,+91 89397 37137
7. Tiki Taka
Building, Sports Center
8. Game On
Game On
Located in Egmore’s Pantheon Road, Game On is a yet another popular terrace turf in Chennai. With high-speed bowling nets for cricket and a football arena that fits dimensions required for futsal, Game On is popular for all-night fixtures and attracts large crowds. However, apart from being a venue for fun sporting activity, the Game On turf also undertakes serious coaching and talent search efforts, and has several facilities for those wanting to take up futsal or cricket in earnest as well.
Game On, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India,+91 77085 40111
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