Varanasi is preparing to host a major new sporting landmark to its already very fast growing infrastructure, and Ganjari International Cricket Stadium is almost complete. The proposed cricket arena in Ganjari will bring big domestic and possibly franchise cricket to the city in the future and it is being announced that it will be one of the venues for Women's Premier League (WPL) games in 2027.
The stadium is a little over 90% complete as of mid-2026. Once fully up and running, Varanasi will have 30,000 to 32,000 fans and a big cricket field for big matches. Its development is being watched closely by cricket fans in Uttar Pradesh, as it is more of a cultural and religious place than a place where top-level cricket games are played.
The proposed stadium is spread over 30 acres and has been designed to integrate modern sports facilities with the architectural elements that are inspired by the cultural identity of Varanasi. Local symbols and visual references are incorporated into this architecture in order to keep the city’s history informed and modern cricket facilities at the heart of the design.
The project is estimated to have cost about ₹330 crore to ₹450 crore. The foundation stone was laid in 2023 and we have started a major sports infrastructure project in the city. We are developing the venue in the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
If the stadium is ready for competitive cricket in time, Ranji Trophy matches could be an important first test for the playing surface and other match day facilities. Ground staff and administrators would then be able to assess the pitches, outfield, dressing rooms, spectator facilities, security arrangements and other operational systems before hosting bigger franchise competitions at the site.
There has been much interest in the possibility of Women’s Premier League matches in 2027. Varanasi might be considered alongside well-established cricket centres such as Mumbai and Vadodara as a venue for the tournament. But the final allocation of matches and venues will be determined by the relevant cricket authorities and tournament organizers.
Hosting WPL matches would be a game changer for Varanasi's sporting ecosystem. Women's Premier League has made it one of the top women's cricket competitions and has drawn top Indian and international players in a franchise league. Matches in Varanasi would give local fans an experience of world-class women’s cricket without going to metropolitan cricket venues.
The new stadium could also eventually come up in discussions of Indian Premier League matches. IPL matches would be made possible if the stadium meets all the requirements and gets the approval, but that’s only added to the hype around the project. A healthy run of domestic competitions will help make the stadium a regular site for big cricket events.
The stadium will also do more than cricket for the local economy. A big international-standard sporting venue can generate employment opportunities in stadium operations, hospitality, security, transportation, event management, and maintenance. Major matches can also increase visitor activity and potentially benefit hotels, restaurants, transport operators, and other tourism-related businesses as well.
The venue in Varanasi could also make a further connection with the city's tourism network as they have been integrated with the city's existing tourism system. Tourists coming to cricket matches can combine their trips with visits to the city's well-known cultural and heritage sites, creating a link between sports and tourism.
For Uttar Pradesh, the development is a further step in expanding sports infrastructure beyond the state’s traditional cricket centres. A modern stadium in Varanasi can also offer players from eastern Uttar Pradesh a major cricket facility and the region can host more competitive matches.
With construction supposedly at its close, all eyes will now turn toward the stadium’s completion, commissioning, and readiness for competitive cricket. If it is operational and meets sporting requirements, the Ganjari International Cricket Stadium could open a new chapter in cricket in Varanasi, possibly hosting Ranji Trophy matches first before moving on to bigger domestic competitions, like the Women’s Premier League and, eventually, IPL games.
The WPL connection of 2027 is still to be confirmed by the cricket authorities, but the prospects of it have already placed the Varanasi stadium on the cricket map. Its completion, as well as the way it will benefit the city's sports infrastructure, will surely be a new and modern addition to Varanasi's unique culture.
