In a significant move to protect the integrity and condition of its facilities, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has drastically increased rental charges and imposed severe penalties for non-sporting events. These new regulations primarily target organizers who fail to maintain the pristine state of Delhi’s five major sports venues after commercial gatherings.
SAI oversees five key sports complexes in the capital: the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Swimming Pool Complex, Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN), and Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range.
Importantly, national and international sports events sanctioned by federations and associations recognized by the Sports Ministry will remain exempt from rental fees, requiring only payment for electricity consumption.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, predominantly known for athletics and football, has become a popular hub for non-sports activities such as music concerts. Previously, booking its main arena for Indian artists cost a comparatively modest ₹4.5 lakh.
However, under the revised tariffs, which came into effect on September 18, the booking fee for the JLN Stadium has soared to a substantial ₹25 lakh. While this represents a significant increase for domestic events, it offers some relief to international performers, who previously faced charges reportedly as high as ₹50 lakh.
A 66-page notification from SAI, reviewed by PTI, mandates that “The main arena of the JLN Stadium will be rented for non-sports events on condition that the event organiser ensures proper protection cover (mats/rugs etc.) of area to be utilised on Field of Play.”
Strict Penalties for Lack of Cleanliness
SAI has also introduced a stringent penalty system for events failing to ensure a thorough post-event clean-up. Organizers will now be charged a penalty equivalent to 10% of the day’s tariff. Furthermore, SAI reserves the right to “blacklist” such organizers, preventing them from booking any of its facilities in the future.
This new penalty structure directly addresses recurring issues of venues being left in poor condition. A recent example highlighted was the ‘Dil-Luminati’ concert by popular Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh at JLN in October 2024, after which the stadium was reportedly left in a considerable mess.
A SAI source told PTI, “We had not increased the rates since 2011. This revision is crucial to safeguard the sanctity of our facilities and guarantee they are returned in optimal condition. We cannot allow commercial activities to negatively impact our athletes.”
Athletes themselves have consistently voiced concerns about garbage-strewn and damaged venues post-commercial events, which often disrupt their crucial training schedules.
The updated terms and conditions explicitly state that it is the organizer’s sole responsibility to ensure venues are returned in a “neat and clean state after the programme.”
Beyond JLN, other venues have also seen significant tariff adjustments. The main arena of the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, previously available for ₹8 lakh for non-sports events like music and fashion shows or film screenings, will now cost ₹16 lakh per day for up to five days under the new regime.
The Indira Gandhi Sports Complex is a multi-purpose venue featuring facilities for boxing, gymnastics, wrestling, and a cycling velodrome.
For the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, primarily a hockey venue, SAI has set the daily tariff for its main pavilion and spectator gallery at ₹5 lakh.
Even the concrete area surrounding the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Swimming Pool Complex, which was once available for a nominal ₹30,000 per day, will now command a rental fee of ₹5 lakh.
Affordable Access Maintained for Sports Events
Despite these significant increases for commercial events, access to these venues for genuine sports activities will remain highly subsidized. Events organized by the Sports Ministry, national federations, and state bodies will continue to be charged a nominal fee.
SAI’s notification clarifies: “No charges will be applicable for the National (with state participation) and International Level Competitions organised by federations/associations recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports except for electricity charges.”
For educational institutions like schools, colleges, universities, and registered societies, the fees are set at ₹1 lakh for JLN Stadium, ₹25,000 for Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, and between ₹20,000 to ₹40,000 for various ranges at the Karni Singh Arena, underscoring SAI’s commitment to supporting genuine sports development.