R.Premadasa Stadium

R. Premadasa Stadium

R. Premadasa Stadium is a major international cricket venue located in Maligawatta, Colombo, Sri Lanka. The ground was officially inaugurated in 1986 and is one of the country's primary stadiums for international cricket, hosting Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). It is owned and operated by Sri Lanka Cricket and has a seating capacity of approximately 35,000 spectators, making it the largest cricket stadium in Sri Lanka.

Early Years and Development

The stadium was originally known as Khettarama Stadium before being renamed in 1994 after Ranasinghe Premadasa, the third President of Sri Lanka. The venue was built on land that was previously swampy terrain near the Khettarama temple and has since become a central part of Sri Lankan cricket infrastructure.

Renovation and Infrastructure

From 2009 to 2011, the stadium underwent a significant renovation project in preparation for the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. During this period, seating capacity was expanded from around 14,000 to 35,000 and media and player facilities were upgraded. The improvements included enhanced seating stands, corporate boxes and media areas to support large international fixtures.

Pitch and Playing Conditions

R. Premadasa Stadium has hosted a wide range of matches, including Tests, ODIs and T20Is. The ground has seen balanced contests between bat and ball, with conditions varying depending on match format and time of day. Its location near Colombo means weather and pitch state can influence playing strategies during international fixtures.

Notable Moments

The venue has been the stage for several distinguished occasions in cricket history:

• Highest Test Total: In the 1997–98 Test series against India, Sri Lanka posted a total of 952 for 6 declared, the highest team score in the history of Test cricket. During that match, Sanath Jayasuriya scored 340 and Roshan Mahanama scored 225, sharing a 576-run partnership for the second wicket.
• World Cup Events: The stadium hosted matches in major ICC events including the 1996 Cricket World Cup, the 2011 Cricket World Cup and the 2012 ICC World Twenty20.
• Asia Cup 2023 Final: The Asia Cup final between India and Sri Lanka was played here in September 2023, with India winning the title.

Across its history, the Premadasa Stadium has hosted over 140 ODIs, more than 40 T20Is and several Test matches, making it one of Sri Lanka's busiest international cricket arenas.

Role in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

For the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, R. Premadasa Stadium has been selected as one of the key venues in Sri Lanka. It is scheduled to host eight matches, including group stage games and multiple Super Eight fixtures. One of the most anticipated matches of the tournament — India vs Pakistan — is set to be played at this stadium, reflecting its importance as a venue for high-profile contests in the T20 format.

Continued Importance

R. Premadasa Stadium continues to be a central venue in Sri Lanka's cricket calendar, regularly hosting international series, multi-nation tournaments and key fixtures. Its history, larger seating capacity, and experience staging global events have made it an integral part of cricket in Sri Lanka and a familiar destination for fans of the sport.