Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023 Venue Guide: Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar

The Kalinga Stadium will host all matches of the Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023.

India are all set to begin their packed Indian football calendar of 2023-24 with their participation in the Hero Intercontinental Cup. The Blue Tigers will be hosting Lebanon, Vanuatu, and Mongolia in this four-nation tournament. All the matches in will be played at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. Each of the four teams will face each other once across three matchdays — which will take place on June 9, 12, and 15 respectively with the final to be played on the 18th of June, 2023.

With two of the three opponents ranked below them in the FIFA charts, Igor Stimac’s side are the favourites to top the group, with a point or two to note when they face the Lebanese side which are ranked two rungs higher than them. But how will they fare is a million-dollar question as performance levels haven’t been at their best for Sunil Chhetri & Co. The two top-placed sides will be qualifying to the finals of the tournament.

Here we will share a venue guide of the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.

Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar

Kalinga Stadium is a mid-sized football stadium that can house up to 16000 spectators. The facilities it provides are satisfactory for any international competition. The Indian Super League club Odisha FC uses this stadium as their home ground for their men’s team and for their women’s team which plays in the Indian Women’s League along with the state Santosh Trophy side.

A total of five gates are there to access the football complex – 1, 2, 3, 4 and 9. General public entry is through gate number 4 for the East Stand and North Stand,  gate number 2 for the South Stand, gate number 9 for West Stand and gate number 1 is for media and VIP entry only.

The Best View

For a panoramic view of the game we would suggest you to book tickets in the East Stand & West Stand (VIP and North West)

Prior to matchday, fans should collect their physical tickets from Gate 4A of the stadium. Offline tickets are also available at the same counter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ1hGKeD9ns

Getting to the stadium

Here are the maximum number of routes to reach the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.

By Road (Bus or Taxi) (From Railway Station or Biju Patnaik International Airport)

The matches start from 4:30 pm and all of team India’s fixtures are in the evening 7:30 PM. Traffic is smooth in Bhubaneswar and considering the fact that Kalinga Stadium is at the heart of the city, accessibility is pretty easy from any part of the state capital. During peak hours in the evening it is advisable to set out 30 minutes prior if you stay more than 6 kilometers from the stadium. Those seeking to arrive directly at the stadium from the Railway Station (Master Canteen) or the Biju Patnaik International Airport can use this method; an alternative can be making use of the Mo Bus facility by the Government of Odisha.

Bus number 10 connects the Airport to the Kalinga Stadium while bus number 12 connects the Railway Station to the Kalinga Stadium at very nominal prices. Both the buses drop you exactly at Gate number 2 of the Kalinga Stadium after which you can walk in through the appropriate gates. The Kalinga Stadium complex is visible from the Jaydev Vihar Square, so if you are coming from any other part of the city by bus or any other public transport, you can easily get off at Jaydev Vihar square and walk till Gate number 3 which is hardly 500 meters from the square.

By train

Train routes are quite useful as well. Any train from any part of the state is directly connected to Bhubaneswar. You can get off at the Bhubaneswar railway station at Master Canteen and then take a cab, bus or auto to the stadium which is just about 5kms from the station.

Parking

For two wheeler and four wheeler parking, AG Colony premises is the place to go to. It is situated right in front of the stadium and has an accommodation as a first come first server basis. The other parking spot is near BDA Nicco Park which is 500 meters from the stadium.

Entry inside gate number 4 is also allowed but subject to special clearances or if you arrive more than 3 hours prior to the venue. Appropriate directional signages are placed in and around the stadium for smooth process and police personnel are readily available for any kind of assistance upon arrival.

Seeking accommodation

For fans visiting from other states/cities, hotels and lodges are available almost everywhere around the city ranging from 5-stars to dormitories as per your taste and budget. However, it will be wiser to book the rooms earlier to avoid last minute hassle and unavailability.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

·  Evenings in Bhubaneswar are usually breezy during the summers although it stays humid most of the time. Dress in a comfortable manner.

·  Carry your tickets along with identity proof.

·  Carry some extra money to buy water from inside the stadium

·  If you fail to find your gate, ask anyone out there. Locals will be present. They will be able to guide you. You can also approach a person of authority for help.

·  Reach an hour or two prior to kickoff.

Don’ts

·  Don’t carry cigarettes, gutka, alcohol or any psychotropic substances. They’re not allowed inside the stadium and if found consuming is a punishable offence.

·  You are not allowed to carry an umbrella as well inside the venue. Therefore, it’s better to carry a raincoat in case there is rain.

·  Eat your meal from outside and enter the stadium. Outside food is prohibited inside the stadium. Also, the food available inside is likely to be overpriced or of poor taste.

·  Water bottles and bags are not permitted in the stadium.

·  Electronic gadgets apart from mobile phones are not allowed.