Top 10 stadiums to host most ODI cricket matches

Only one stadium has hosted more than 200 ODI cricket matches so far.

Cricket stadiums house the passionate fans who throng the venue to watch a game of cricket. Several international cricket stadiums in the world are on the bucket list of the fans.

From the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground to the gigantic Melbourne Cricket Ground, to the newly-constructed Narendra Modi Stadium, which has the highest seating capacity among cricket stadiums in the world – these venues have served as the place where legends were made and memorable moments were created.

Each venue has its own story and history. They are not just structures; they are integral to the whole experience of the players and spectators.

In this article, we will look at the stadiums which have hosted the most number of ODI cricket matches so far.

Top 10 stadiums to host most ODI cricket matches:

10. Eden Park, Auckland – 79

The Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, was established in 1900 and has a seating capacity of 41,000. It’s known for its small boundary dimensions and flat pitch and has produced several run-fests in white-ball cricket. The ground is shaped like a baseball diamond. Eden Park has so far hosted 79 ODI matches.

This stadium also hosts Rugby tournaments.

9. Western Australia Cricket Association Ground (W.A.C.A.), Perth – 80

The W.A.C.A. in Perth is known for its fast and bouncy pitch. Established in 1893, the W.A.C.A first hosted an ODI cricket match in 1980 and last in 2017.

In 2015, it was announced that the W.A.C.A. will not be hosting Australia’s matches and Big Bash League (BBL) matches after the 2018 season and will host only the teams that draw smaller crowds. Australia’s matches and BBL games in Perth have been shifted to the new Optus Stadium.

8. Adelaide Oval, Adelaide – 86

Another famous ground in Australia is the Adelaide Oval, which was established in 1873 and has so far hosted 86 ODI matches. It has a seating capacity of 50,000.

This stadium has also hosted several other sports, including Australian Rules Football, Rugby League, athletics, baseball, cycling, American football, hockey, lacrosse, lawn tennis, and soccer.

7. Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo – 90

The Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, can house only 9000 spectators but is a pretty venue with an old pavilion surrounded by trees and the ground consists of grass banking.

It has played host to 90 ODI cricket matches so far, with the first ODI match here being played in 1996.

6. Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka – 120

The Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka is Bangladesh’s most prominent cricket stadium and hosts the majority of their international matches. It is a venue dedicated exclusively to cricket.

Starting from 2006, it has hosted 120 ODIs so far. The first test at this venue was played in 2007. It has an excellent drainage facility.

5. Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne – 151

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which is also known as ‘The G’ is one of the most famous and iconic cricket stadiums in the world. It has a housing capacity of 90,000 fans. It hosted the 2015 ODI World Cup final, which the home team won.

The first-ever ODI cricket match was played at the MCG in 1971. It has so far hosted 151 ODIs.

4. R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo – 151

Named after former Sri Lanka president Ranasinghe Premadasa, the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is the home of Sri Lankan cricket and it has witnessed some historic moments in their cricket history, including the highest score in a test innings when Sri Lanka piled up 952/6 against India in 1997.

It was previously known as Khetterama Cricket Stadium. Used first for an ODI cricket match in 1986, the R. Premadasa Stadium has hosted 151 ODIs so far. It has a 35,000-seating capacity.

3. Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney – 161

The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) is a picturesque venue that was established in 1848. It was then known as the Garrison Ground and hosted football matches until the 1920s.

The first ODI cricket match at the SCG was played in 1979 and so far it has hosted 161 games, which is the third most in the world and the most in Australia.

2. Harare Sports Club, Harare – 182

The Harare Sports Club in Harare is the most-used cricket stadium in Zimbabwe and has hosted the second-most ODI matches in the world. Starting from 1992, the Harare Sports Club has hosted 182 ODI games. Surrounded by jacaranda trees, it has a small seating capacity of 10,000 fans.

1. Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah – 250

The Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE has hosted the highest number of ODI cricket matches so far – 250. Established in 1982, it has been used as a home venue for Pakistan and then Afghanistan.

It was a popular venue for ODI cricket in the 1980s and 1990s. Between 1984 and 2003, the Sharjah Cricket Stadium hosted 198 ODIs.

In September 2024, it became the first stadium to host 250 ODIs.

(All stats updated till 18th September, 2024)

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.