Kanteerava Football Stadium

Sree Kanteerava Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Bengaluru with a capacity of holding 24,000 spectators. It is Bengaluru's main sports stadium and several national level teams hold their training sessions at this stadium.

The facilities in the stadium include running track, football field, volleyball court and two outdoor rock climbing walls. It also includes synthetic surfaced areas for field events such as long jump, high jump, triple jump and pole vault.

History

The stadium was constructed through SVEC Constructions Ltd. and the construction was completed by 31 May 1997. The Sree Kanteerava athletic track was a cinder track before, but was later developed into a pro synthetic track for 1997 National Games.

Major Matches

The Kanteerava Stadium has been Bengaluru FC’s home ground since the 2014-15 season of the I-League. It has played host to some memorable games of football.

In 2015, Mohun Bagan had famously secured the I-League title on the final day of the season after a last-gasp equaliser against Bengaluru FC.

In 2016, Bengaluru FC defeated Johor Darul Ta’zim 3-1 in the second leg of their AFC Cup semifinal clash to become the first Indian club to reach the final of Asia’s second tier club competition.

Controversies

The stadium seemed to be no longer a safe training ground for aspiring athletes. The facilities in the stadium are nowhere close to international standards and the trainers may have to forget producing competitive athletes from this ground. The athletes have blamed the situation on the stadium being given to hosting football matches.