Bangladesh is a nation where sports stir the soul. Cricket matches turn streets and tea stalls into stadiums of their own, with fans cheering, waving flags, and celebrating every run. Football, too, has its die-hard followers—so much so that FIFA once highlighted Bangladesh’s football fans for their passion and energy. This love for sports shows that Bangladesh doesn’t just watch the game—it lives it, and it’s ready for stadiums that can match that excitement.

 

Despite this enthusiasm, Bangladesh has long struggled to match its passion with infrastructure. While the country has only a few international-level cricket stadiums, the total number is extremely limited. To put this in perspective, a single state in India, such as Gujarat, has the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the world’s largest cricket stadium, along with 3–4 other high-standard cricket venues within the same state. In contrast, Bangladesh, with a comparable population, only has 3–4 international-level stadiums across the entire country. Dubai, too, shows that even without deep cricket roots, visionary planning can create world-class stadiums. This gap highlights both the immense potential and the urgent need for Bangladesh to expand and modernize its stadium infrastructure.

 

Encouragingly, transformative projects are now underway. The National Cricket Ground (NCG), initially designed by Australian firm Populous Architecture and previously known as “The BOAT,” will feature a 5-story pavilion capable of holding 50,000 spectators. Although the Bangladesh Cricket Board recently canceled its international tender, a re-tender is expected to move the project forward. Alongside this, the Manikgonj International Cricket Stadium—with a Tk1,100 crore budget—is undergoing feasibility tests on 25.96 acres near the Paturia Ferry Ghat area. These initiatives demonstrate a serious push toward international-standard cricket infrastructure that matches Bangladesh’s fan enthusiasm.

 

Beyond cricket, Bangladesh is expanding stadiums across multiple sports and regions. The government plans to construct international-standard venues in Cox’s Bazar, Cumilla, Feni, and Manikgonj, while grassroots access is being strengthened through a plan to build 220 stadiums in upazilas, each named after the July Martyrs. Renovation projects, such as Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura and Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Narayanganj, alongside private initiatives like the Basundhara Sports Club Complex, further highlight the collaborative effort to modernize facilities.

 

Currently, existing gems like the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox’s Bazar and the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium are finished, playable, and already hosting games. Football academies such as the BFF Academy in Ramu and Cox’s Bazar nurture the next generation of athletes, ensuring that the nation’s enthusiasm is matched by opportunities to develop skills. Taken together, Bangladesh’s ongoing, upcoming, and present stadium projects signal a promising future—where passion, professionalism, and infrastructure converge to elevate the country’s sporting landscape.