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Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is a multipurpose stadium which hosts football matches and athletic competitions in Chennai. The stadium is owned and operated by the Tamil Nadu Government and has a total capacity of 40,000. It was built at a cost of approximately $6.9 million.
The stadium is home to the Tamil Nadu football team which plays in the Santosh Trophy and also is the home stadium for the Indian Super League franchise Chennaiyin FC.
History
The stadium has been constructed in the area where the old Madras Zoo was located before it was shifted to its present location. It was built in 1993 by the Government of Tamil Nadu at a staggering cost of $6.9 million in a record time of 234 days.
In 2012, the Government of Tamil Nadu started to renovate the indoor stadium which was done approximately at a cost of $1.9 million.
The upgradation of synthetic athletics track, football turf, floodlights and an addition of a warm-up track to the north of the stadium has been done at a cost of $5.2 million.
However, the seating capacity of the stadium has been reduced to a little over 26,000 for the ISL games, which had to be done due to the placement of tarps in the seating areas.
Major Matches
The stadium though known for the football matches which were hosted by the stadium. The stadium has also the distinction of being the host to nine cricket test matches as well.
The stadium has been part of history, as it witnessed the highest goal scoring match in ISL history with six goals between Chennaiyin FC and Mumbai City FC. The hosts had scored five goals past the hapless Mumbai City FC and winning the match in 2014.
The stadium also holds the distinction of hosting the World Volleyball Grand Prix tournament in 1998.
