What Are the World’s Best Cricket Grounds?
By
Amelia Walker
Senior Content Writer Updated: 11 December 2023
Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer
Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.
The World’s Best Cricket Grounds
- Best Cricket Grounds in the World
- Greatest Cricket Grounds in the World
- Lord’s: The Home of Cricket
- The Oval: England’s Iconic Venue
- Melbourne’s Massive Stadium
- Eden Gardens: India’s Pride
- Wanderers: South Africa’s Gem
- Frequently Asked Questions
Cricket is not just a sport; it’s a global passion, connecting fans around the world! When we talk about cricket, we can’t skip the excitement that world-class stadiums bring to the table – after all, each ground has its unique vibe and story, making the matches played there unforgettable. In today’s post, we’re going to look at the biggest and most beautiful cricket grounds around the world – and the venues you must visit if you get the chance!
Best Cricket Grounds in the World
So, what exactly makes the best cricket grounds in the world? Well, that’s a topic we’ll be looking at in the following section – but generally, it’s about not just history, but the design, too. From the lush green outfields to the historic pavilions, these venues are more than just sports arenas; they’re places where legends are made, records are broken, and memories are etched into the history of cricket.
Whether you’re looking for the largest stadiums or the ones with the most beautiful scenery in the background, the greatest cricket grounds in the world offer something for every fan. Don’t forget, here on our site, you can also find many guides on betting on cricket matches and choosing the best sportsbooks, too!
Greatest Cricket Grounds in the World
When it comes to the greatest cricket grounds in the world, you’ll soon find that most of these venues take you on a journey through time; as we mentioned earlier, these venues aren’t simply places where cricket is played – they’re key capitals of the game, where the best players in the world compete, and fans travel thousands of miles to attend!
Whether it’s the royal-like turf of Lord’s in London or the loud, upbeat scenes found in Eden Gardens in Kolkata, each cricket ground we’ll be talking about today has a long history – and a lot to offer.
In this blog, as we’ve mentioned, we’re going to be showing you not just the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world; we’ll also be looking at the best cricket grounds – venues you absolutely must try to visit if you get the chance.
We are going to dive into five of the world’s best cricket grounds – and to give you a quick teaser of where we’ll be heading, you can check out the five venues in the table below; we’ve included one notable feature of each ground, too, to give you an idea of what makes the venue stand out!
| Ground | Notable Feature |
|---|---|
| Lords | ‘The Home of Cricket’ |
| MCG | Boxing Day Test |
| Eden Gardens | Intense atmosphere |
| The Oval | First Test match 1880 |
| Wanderers | The ‘Bullring’ |
Lord’s: The Home of Cricket
Lord’s Cricket Ground, known simply as Lord’s, is considered the home of cricket – and for most fans, it’s easily the most iconic and important cricket ground on the planet. Located in St John’s Wood in London, it was established in 1814 and has hosted some of the most famous cricket matches in history.
With a capacity of around 30,000, its iconic red seating and historic pavilion make it one of the most recognizable cricket venues in the world. Some of the key features of Lords include the famous slope of the pitch, the Grace Gates entrance, the Grandstand completed in 1926, and the Media Centre and Museum completed in 1999.
The ground has witnessed many historic moments and has played host to 145 Test matches. Lords remains the spiritual home of cricket and playing there is a dream-come-true for most young cricketers!
The Oval: England’s Iconic Venue
The Oval in London, officially known as Kia Oval, is another one of the world’s best cricket grounds. It has been the home ground of Surrey County Cricket Club since it was opened in 1845, and while, with a capacity of around 23,500, it holds slightly less fans than Lords, it remains one of the biggest cricket venues in Europe.
The Oval has been home to some of England’s biggest cricket matches – and it’s also been where some of the game’s most notable scenes have unfolded – including Sir Don Bradman’s final innings in 1948, where he was bowled for a duck.
One of the reasons why some prefer The Oval over Lord’s is its extra features. For example, the Peter May enclosures opened in 1952, and the OCS stand was completed in 2013, allowing far more fans to sit in comfort while watching matches.
In terms of the field itself, it’s often known for having a reputation as a batter’s paradise, with its flat pitch making it great for stroke play. However, the ground has also seen some top-class fast bowling over the years – and many of the world’s best cricket players in history have played here!
Melbourne’s Massive Stadium
The Melbourne Cricket Ground, known as the MCG, is considered one of the greatest cricket stadiums in the world. With a capacity of over 100,000, it is the largest cricket ground currently operational, and it’s hosted some of the most memorable moments in cricket history.
Located in Yarra Park in inner Melbourne, the MCG was built in 1853 and has been renovated extensively over the years. It is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club and the venue for the Boxing Day Test match, one of the biggest events on the cricket calendar. The MCG is known for its incredible atmosphere, with packed crowds creating an intimidating environment for visiting teams.
Some key features of the MCG include the members’ pavilion, the Great Southern Stand completed in 1992, and the light towers inaugurated in 1985.
With its vast capacity, imposing structure, modern media and corporate facilities, and rich cricketing folklore, the MCG remains one of the great hot spots of cricket – and pretty much all cricket players dream of playing a Boxing Day Test at the MCG!
Eden Gardens: India’s Pride
Eden Gardens in Kolkata is considered India’s most iconic and famous cricket stadium. Known for its passionate crowds, Eden Gardens has a capacity of around 68,000 spectators and an atmosphere like no other ground in India.
Eden Gardens was first opened in 1864 and hosted its first Test match in 1934 against England. Since then, it has been the stage for many thrilling Test matches and limited over games. The deafening noise and vibrant energy of the crowds make it an extraordinary experience for visiting fans – and it’s an attraction, even without the cricket!
For example, Eden Gardens is famed for its food – offering a taste not just of Indian cuisine, but foods from all over the world – and it’s also incredibly modern, with several new state-of-the-art features being installed in recent years. This includes the canopy roofing installed in 2016, and other facilities like electronic scoreboards and floodlights.
In terms of action, Eden Gardens has witnessed some magical moments like Harbhajan Singh’s hat-trick against Australia in 2001 and India’s victory in the ICC World Twenty20 final in 2016.
Wanderers: South Africa’s Gem
The Wanderers Stadium, also known as the Bullring, is a top cricket venue located in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is the home ground of the Highveld Lions and has hosted many historic matches since opening in 1956. With a capacity of around 30,000 spectators, it is known for its lively atmosphere and bouncy pitches.
Some of the best-known features of the Wanderers Stadium are its ring of lights, the grass embankments, and the Bullring nickname derived from the intimidating, enclosed arena-like feel. Many of South Africa’s greatest players have taken to the field over the years, including Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald, and AB de Villiers.
The Wanderers was also the scene of some of South Africa’s most famous victories since returning from isolation, including the incredible ODI in March 2006, when South Africa successfully chased down Australia’s world-record total of 434/4.
