The Jawaharlal Nehru International stadium at Kaloor in Kochi (file)
The permissible seating capacity of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kaloor in Kochi, Kerala, for the international friendly match featuring Lionel Messi-led FIFA World Cup-winning Argentina team next month, in November 2025, will be determined only after a thorough examination of the stadium’s structural stability and physical condition.
A safety audit will be jointly conducted by experts from IIT Palakkad, the Public Works department (Buildings), and the Sports Kerala Foundation (SKF) — an organisation under the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs. Based on this audit, a decision regarding the seating capacity will be made.
The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) has handed over the stadium to SKF to facilitate infrastructural enhancements in association with the sponsors of the event ahead of Argentina team’s visit.
In a statement issued on Friday, the sponsors of Argentina’s visit to Kochi, Reporter Broadcasting Company, claimed that the stadium is being upgraded to accommodate 50,000 spectators.
However, sources from both the PWD and SKF clarified that the final decision on seating capacity will be taken only after the safety audit, which involves IIT Palakkad experts who arrived at the stadium on Friday. An inspection would be conducted following a defined methodology, and tests will be performed if necessary to assess structural stability and safety, based on which the seating capacity will be finalised.
“According to documents received from GCDA, the structural and designed capacity of the stadium when it was built in 1996 was 55,000. The economic lifespan of a structure is typically around 60 to 70 years, but this depends on timely maintenance. We do not wish to prejudge whether or not the same capacity can be permitted nearly 30 years later,” said SKF sources.
Additionally, PWD sources confirmed that the seating capacity for recent matches has been set at 35,000.
During the FIFA Under-17 World Cup matches hosted by the stadium in 2017, the capacity was reduced to 42,000 from the original plan of 55,000 after FIFA expressed dissatisfaction with the evacuation arrangements for the third tier. In case of an emergency, the crowd must be evacuated within eight minutes, and FIFA found this unfeasible for the third tier after local organisers proposed installing 32,000 bucket seats across two of the stadium’s three tiers.
Pitch improvement works
Meanwhile, pitch improvement works in accordance with FIFA guidelines is under way at the stadium, while external renovation works will commence shortly. As per the government order, all renovation expenses will be borne by the sponsors, who stated that works worth ₹70 crore are in progress.
A meeting of various departments convened to review the arrangements has resolved to complete preparations at the earliest.
“Parking has been identified as a major challenge, especially considering the movement of VVIPs. A decision has been made to identify all potential parking areas in and around the stadium. The stadium will feature both outer and inner boundaries as part of the security measures,” said SKF sources.
Ticket prices
In its statement, the sponsor said ticket prices would be announced this week and clarified that the fares being circulated now were “fake”.
Published – October 10, 2025 02:38 pm IST
