India largest soccer venue in sylvan Shillong

Article posted by Coliseum, July 28^th, 2025

Image: Collage Design

The Government of Meghalaya (State of India) has embarked on an ambitious project to construct a state-of-the-art football stadium in Shillong (City in Meghalaya).

‘COLLAGE DESIGN PVT LTD’ stated that the Mawkhanu Football Stadium has a planned capacity to hold 40,000 spectators and has been designed to meet and exceed the FIFA guidelines with the ability to host international football matches including FIFA/Asian Football Confederation (AFC) games and major sports and cultural events.

Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)-based the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is the governing body of association football, beach soccer and futsal in most countries and territories in Asia. The AFC was formed in 1954. It has 47 members.

‘COLLAGE DESIGN PVT LTD’ further stated that the foundation stone ceremony of this major initiative was held recently in the presence of the Minister of Finance of India Nirmala Sitharaman and the Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad Sangma.

As part of Meghalaya’s greater vision to promote sports the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs is continuing its commitment to develop the sporting facilities across the State to promote training, host the mega events and engage the youth of the State. Working closely with the State Sports Council Meghalaya (SSCM) and in adherence to the FIFA guidelines, the COLLAGE DESIGN PVT LTD, the Project Consultants, have ensured that every aspect of the technical and operational compliance has been provisioned to ensure a safe and sustainable stadium meeting the global standards.

This facility will become the largest purpose-built football stadium in India. The stadium will incorporate sustainable measures both environmentally and financially as well as functionality in its design. Designed to deliver the best matchday atmospheres in India each seat will have uninterrupted sightlines and the spectators will be close to the pitch ensuring an electric atmosphere.

The stadium has been carefully carved into the terrain to ensure minimal impact on the site topography and allowing for large public plazas for an exciting matchday atmosphere. The natural grass field has been designed to respond to the climate and provide high-quality playing conditions throughout the year. The West Stand has been planned with utmost care to ensure clear separation of the Players, the Media, the Spectator, and the VIP Sections on matchdays and providing the latest amenities for the patrons including the Locker Rooms, the Recovery Center, the Offices, the Broadcast Rooms, the Lounges, and the Corporate Boxes.

This stadium will be a new benchmark for stadia design in India for football offering one of the finest spectator experiences. The parametric design has resulted in a seating section profile with clear sightlines for every seat towards the edge of the field. The elegant roof has been designed to cover over 80 percent of the total seats and is integrated with the sports lighting to meet the broadcast guidelines for World Cup or international football matches. This fully accessible stadium has been designed to ensure safe egress from every seat meeting the highest standard of safety in sports stadia. The public amenities, including the concession stands, are planned and distributed across the stadium with minimal travel distances from each seat.

The exterior of the stadium is planned as a dynamic and modern façade that respectfully complements the skills of the bamboo artisans of the State. The façade creates an elegant and dignified appearance which will also allow for light effects to animate the stadium during events.

A truly multipurpose facility the stadium will host large concerts, public gatherings and other social events to become a vibrant destination in the State and the Region. The Club House within the complex will boast multiple indoor and outdoor facilities including recreational, swimming pool, tennis courts, gymnasium, snooker/billiards tables, squash courts, restaurants, and multipurpose halls to provide a year-round facility for community engagement and financial viability.

The Mawkhanu Football Stadium has been designed with the digital revolution in mind and future-proofed with the necessary infrastructure and cabling so it could respond to the ongoing and future advances in technology.

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