View source for Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium

{{Short description|Field Hockey stadium, New Delhi, India}}
{{distinguish|Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium, Lucknow}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox venue
| image = IndianHockeyGameSnapshot.jpg
| image_size = 270px
| image_caption = The stadium on a matchday in 2010
| stadium_name = Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium
| fullname = Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium
| nickname = National Stadium
| location = [[New Delhi]], India
| coordinates = {{Coord|28|36|45|N|77|14|14|E|region:IN_type:landmark_scale:2000|display=it}}
| built = 
| opened = 1933
| rebuilt = 2010
| owner = [[Sports Authority of India]]
| operator = Sports Authority of India
| construction_cost = 
| architect = 
| former_names = Irwin Amphitheatre<br/>National Stadium
| seating_capacity = 16,200
| tenants = [[India men's national field hockey team]]<br>[[Delhi SG Pipers]] (2024–present)<br/>[[Delhi Wave Riders]] (2013–2016)<br>[[Delhi Wizards]] (2011)
| dimensions = 
}}
The ''' Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium''', commonly known by its former name '''National Stadium''', is a [[field hockey]] stadium in [[New Delhi]], India. The stadium is named after former Indian [[field hockey]] player, [[Dhyan Chand]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Ravi |date=2023-07-18 |title=Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium: The Pride of Delhi, India - Stadiums World |url=https://stadiums.world/major-dhyan-chand-national-stadium-delhi/ |access-date=2023-09-04 |language=en-GB}}</ref> It served as the venue for the [[1951 Asian Games|1st Asian Games]] in 1951.<ref name=hto>{{cite news|title=Imperial Impressions|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/newdelhi/Imperial-Impressions/Article1-723461.aspx|publisher=Hindustan Times|date=20 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717175634/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/newdelhi/Imperial-Impressions/Article1-723461.aspx|archive-date=17 July 2012}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Indian athletes at the First Asiad.png|thumb|left|Indian athletes at the first [[Asian Games|Asiad]]]]

The stadium was built in 1933 as a gift for Delhi from the [[Krishna Kumarasingh Bhavasingh|Maharaja of Bhavnagar]]. It was originally a multipurpose stadium named the '''Irwin Amphitheatre'''. It was designed by Anthony S. DeMillo and opened by [[Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon|Lord Willingdon]]. As per the original plans of architect of [[New Delhi]] [[Edwin Lutyens]], there was to be a garden at the site, to provide a clear view of the historic ''[[Purana Quila]] ''([[Old Fort, Delhi|Old Fort]]) in the backdrop, as it lay perpendicular to the axis beginning from [[Rashtrapati Bhavan]] (President's House) through [[Rajpath]] and ending at the [[India Gate]]. His plans were however overruled. It was renamed National Stadium before the [[1951 Asian Games]], Dhyan Chand's name was added in 2002.<ref name=hto/><ref>{{cite news |title=Even Bradman was impressed with Dhyan Chand |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/hockey/Even-Bradman-was-impressed-with-Dhyan-Chand/articleshow/9791543.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909114344/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-30/hockey/29944192_1_don-bradman-olympics-cricket |url-status=live |archive-date=9 September 2011 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=30 August 2011}}</ref>

==Major renovations==
The Dhyan Chand Stadium was the host venue for the [[2010 Men's Hockey World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/007200703221860.htm | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=India to host 2010 men's hockey World Cup | date=22 March 2007}}</ref> It was also the field hockey venue of the [[2010 Commonwealth Games]]. The stadium underwent a major reconstruction project before the Hockey World Cup 2010.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

On 24 January 2010 it became the first venue for the [[2010 Commonwealth Games]] to be unveiled.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/commonwealth-games/Revamped-Dhyanchand-Stadium-to-open/articleshow/5493024.cms |title=The Times Of India }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The stadium was revamped at a cost of Rs 262 crore, 50 crore more than originally budgeted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/106443/FROM%20THE%20MAGAZINE/the-con-games.html |title=The Con Games : Cover Story - India Today |publisher=Indiatoday.intoday.in |date=2010-07-24 |access-date=2012-07-19}}</ref>  The stands, which were earthen embankments, were demolished and a new rectangular seating bowl was constructed in its place.

From 8–10 December 2017 it hosted the fourth edition of Jashn-e-Rekhta, the Urdu festival of India by Rekhta Foundation led by Rajiv Saraf.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

==Stadium features==
The stadium is spread over 17,500 square metres in the {{convert|37|acre|m2|adj=on}} complex. It has three synthetic pitches — two conform to international standards and a third is for practice. It is located adjacent to the [[Indian Coast Guard]] Headquarters.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
[[File:Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.jpg|thumb|272x272px|'''Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium''']]
A new polygrass turf was laid on all pitches equipped with new sprinkler systems. The main field has a capacity to seat about 16,200 spectators. The second pitch outside the main arena has 900 permanent seats and with a provision of 1,600 temporary seats. The two competitive pitches are flood-lit with foldable floodlight towers (hinged mast lights) which will provide 2,200 lux illumination during the competition. This will enable high definition TV transmission.

Both the pitches are equipped with facilities for the players like change rooms, relaxation lounges and a VVIP lounge.

The stadium is air-conditioned and fitted with lifts. There are barrier free provisions for athletes and spectators who are physically challenged. The stadium will get its power supply from two grids with a backup based on generator sets and battery uninterrupted power supply.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100308035832/http://www.sportstrack.in/2010/03/2010-mens-hockey-world-cup-schedule/ Men’s Hockey World Cup 2010 schedule]
* [http://www.cwgdelhi2010.org/dcwg/?q=node/785/ 2010 Commonwealth Hockey Stadium]{{dead link|date=February 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

{{Asian Games stadia}}
{{Hockey India League}}
{{2010 Commonwealth Games venues|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Field hockey venues in India]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1933]]
[[Category:2010 Commonwealth Games venues]]
[[Category:Stadiums of the Asian Games]]
[[Category:1951 Asian Games]]
[[Category:Asian Games athletics venues]]
[[Category:Venues of the 1951 Asian Games]]
[[Category:Defunct cricket grounds in India]]
[[Category:Rebuilt buildings and structures in India]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials to Dhyan Chand]]
[[Category:1933 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Asian Games water polo venues]]
[[Category:20th-century architecture in India]]