Anticipation is building in Kochi, Kerala, for the highly anticipated international friendly match next month, featuring the Lionel Messi-led FIFA World Cup-winning Argentina team. However, the final seating capacity for the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kaloor will only be confirmed after a thorough safety audit assesses its structural stability and overall physical condition.
This crucial safety review will be a collaborative effort involving experts from IIT Palakkad, the Public Works Department (Buildings), and the Sports Kerala Foundation (SKF), an organization operating under the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs. Their findings will directly influence the stadium’s approved capacity.
The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) has officially handed over the stadium to SKF, enabling essential infrastructural upgrades in collaboration with the event’s sponsors, all in preparation for the Argentine team’s arrival.
Despite a recent statement from Reporter Broadcasting Company, the sponsors of Argentina’s visit, claiming upgrades are underway to accommodate 50,000 spectators, sources from both the PWD and SKF have emphasized that the ultimate decision rests solely on the upcoming safety audit. IIT Palakkad experts initiated their inspection on Friday, promising a rigorous assessment using defined methodologies and necessary tests to guarantee structural integrity and safety.
SKF sources highlighted that while the stadium’s original structural and design capacity when 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.” PWD sources further noted that recent matches have seen the capacity capped at 35,000.
A precedent for reduced capacity was set during the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2017 when the stadium’s capacity was lowered from 55,000 to 42,000. FIFA had expressed concerns over evacuation procedures for the third tier, deeming the eight-minute emergency evacuation target unfeasible, especially after local organizers proposed installing 32,000 bucket seats across two of the three tiers.
Pitch and Renovation Progress
Significant pitch improvement work is currently in progress, adhering to strict FIFA guidelines, with external renovation scheduled to begin soon. A government order confirms that all renovation costs, estimated at ₹70 crore, will be covered by the sponsors.
A recent inter-departmental meeting focusing on logistical arrangements stressed the urgency of completing all preparations. SKF sources indicated that “Parking has been identified as a major challenge, especially considering the movement of VVIPs.” Plans are in motion to pinpoint all potential parking zones both within and surrounding the stadium, which will also feature comprehensive outer and inner security perimeters.
Ticket Information
The sponsors announced that official ticket prices will be released this week, cautioning the public against any “fake” fares currently circulating online.