Arun Jaitley Stadium Guide (Feroz Shah Kotla): Best Seats, Metro and IPL Tips

Every Indian cricket fan knows at least one story about Feroz Shah Kotla. The djinns — the spirits said to inhabit the ancient ruins of Feroz Shah Kotla fort, whose crumbling 14th-century turrets still stand a few hundred metres from the cricket ground bearing the same name — are part of Delhi cricket mythology. More concretely, this is where Anil Kumble took all ten wickets in a Test innings in 1999 against Pakistan, one of the most remarkable individual performances in cricket history. And this is where Delhi's particular brand of cricket passion — passionate, knowledgeable, and unforgiving of failure — has expressed itself across seven decades of international cricket.

The ground is now officially named Arun Jaitley Stadium, after the late Finance Minister and DDCA president, but among Delhi's cricket community it is still Kotla. It stands at the ITO area of central Delhi — surrounded by newspaper offices, government buildings, and the ring roads that carry the city's traffic — and yet the moment you walk through the main gate, it feels separate from the city entirely. The stands are steep, the sound bounces between tiers, and a full-capacity DC home match here is a genuinely intense experience.

This guide covers everything you need for an IPL 2026 Delhi Capitals match at Arun Jaitley Stadium. Check the IPL 2026 schedule for DC home fixtures and the IPL 2026 tickets guide for booking strategy.

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Stadium Overview

Arun Jaitley Stadium (formerly Feroz Shah Kotla) sits in the ITO area of central Delhi, flanked by the Ring Road and the Yamuna River floodplain to the east.

Detail	Info
Full Name	Arun Jaitley Stadium
Former Name	Feroz Shah Kotla
Location	Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, ITO, New Delhi 110002
Capacity	41,820
Established	1883
Home Team	Delhi Capitals (DC)
Governing Body	Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA)

Feroz Shah Kotla is the second-oldest cricket ground in India still hosting international matches, established in 1883. It hosted India's first Test match at this ground in 1948. The venue has a layered history: the ruins of the actual Feroz Shah Kotla fort (built in 1354 by Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq) are visible just northeast of the cricket stadium, creating a genuinely unusual juxtaposition of a T20 IPL match taking place in the shadow of a medieval fortress.

The stadium was comprehensively renovated and expanded in 1996, and further upgrades were carried out ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The current 41,820-seat configuration features covered upper tiers across most stands, significantly improved floodlighting, and modern concourse facilities. The pitch has traditionally assisted spin — it is a famous spinner's wicket — with significant turn developing over the course of a match, though IPL pitches are prepared to be more neutral than Test surfaces.

At 41,820 capacity, Arun Jaitley Stadium is a mid-sized IPL venue — large enough to generate serious atmosphere but compact enough that the sound stays contained rather than dissipating.

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Seating Guide: Which Stands to Choose

Club House Upper and Lower Tiers — ₹1,500 to ₹3,500

The Club House sections at Arun Jaitley Stadium are the main pavilion structure and represent the traditional heart of the ground. The lower tier is closest to the boundary and gives a near-pitch-level perspective; the upper tier is elevated enough for full panoramic views while still feeling connected to the action. The central sections of the Club House directly face down the pitch — these are the most coveted seats in this category.

Best for: First-time Kotla visitors, fans who want good sightlines and a well-priced experience, cricket enthusiasts interested in the ground's history.

North Stand — ₹1,000 to ₹2,000

The North Stand is located behind the northern batting end and houses a substantial portion of the general crowd. It is where the noisiest sections of DC's support base tend to congregate. Sight lines are angled, with the pitch viewed from an end-on or near-end-on perspective. The atmosphere during a DC batting phase from the North Stand is exceptional.

Best for: Budget fans, groups wanting pure atmosphere, young fans and students.

South Stand — ₹1,000 to ₹2,000

The South Stand mirrors the North Stand at the opposite batting end. Coverage from this section during a DC bowling innings (with the action coming toward you) is particularly engaging — you can see exactly what deliveries are doing off the pitch. Sight lines are angled but steepness of the raking compensates significantly.

Best for: Budget fans, fans who enjoy watching bowling action, groups on a tight budget.

East Stand — ₹2,500 to ₹5,000

The East Stand runs along the boundary on the eastern side of the ground. From here, the Yamuna floodplain and the distant ridge are visible beyond the stadium walls — a view unique to Arun Jaitley Stadium. Upper rows of the East Stand provide excellent elevated views of the full ground. The roof coverage over this stand is good.

Best for: Fans seeking a solid all-round view, photography enthusiasts who want the unique "old fort and river" background.

Premium and Corporate Suites — ₹12,000 to ₹30,000

Located in the upper Club House structure. Air-conditioned, in-seat catering, private entry and lounge access. Book through DDCA's official hospitality programme.

Stand	Price Range	Best For
North Stand	₹1,000–₹2,000	Budget, atmosphere
South Stand	₹1,000–₹2,000	Budget, end-on bowling view
Club House	₹1,500–₹3,500	Best all-round sightlines
East Stand	₹2,500–₹5,000	Elevated view, unique backdrop
Premium/Corporate	₹12,000–₹30,000	Full hospitality

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How to Reach Arun Jaitley Stadium

By Delhi Metro (Strongly Recommended)

Delhi's Metro network is one of the best in Asia, and Arun Jaitley Stadium is exceptionally well served by two separate lines.

ITO Station (Violet Line — Line 6): The ITO Metro station is approximately 400-500 metres from the stadium's main gate on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. Exit the station, walk south along the main road, and the stadium entrance is directly visible. This is the primary recommended station — it is close and extremely convenient.

Delhi Gate Station (Violet Line — Line 6): One stop south of ITO on the Violet Line, Delhi Gate station is approximately 1 km from the stadium. A slightly longer walk but a viable alternative if ITO is very crowded.

Pragati Maidan Station (Blue Line — Line 2/Blue): Approximately 1.5 km east of the stadium. This station connects fans coming from Noida, Dwarka, and the Blue Line corridor. Exit and walk or take an auto-rickshaw.

The Violet Line connects ITO to major hubs: Janakpuri West in the west, and Faridabad and Badarpur in the south. The Blue Line connects at Yamuna Bank and Indraprastha to reach ITO area via auto. Check the DMRC app for the fastest route from your specific accommodation.

DMRC extends services on IPL match nights — confirm the exact last train time for your station on the DMRC website before your match.

Post-match: ITO station's eastbound (toward Faridabad direction) platforms are significantly less crowded than the westbound platforms post-match because most fans are heading into the city. If your destination is south Delhi or Faridabad, you will have a relatively easy journey. If heading to North Delhi or central Delhi, be prepared for a crowded westbound platform — the Pragati Maidan station is a 15-minute walk and much less crowded.

By DTC Bus

Delhi Transport Corporation routes serving the ITO junction are numerous — this is one of Delhi's major traffic intersections with bus connectivity from virtually every part of the city. Buses from Kashmere Gate, Connaught Place, AIIMS, and south Delhi all pass through or near ITO. Useful for getting to the match; post-match buses are very crowded and the metro is preferred.

By Auto-Rickshaw and Cab

Ola, Uber, and Rapido all operate in Delhi. ITO is centrally located, so cab journeys from most Delhi areas are under 30 minutes in non-peak conditions. On match days:

• From Connaught Place: 10-15 minutes, ₹100-150 by auto/cab.
• From Karol Bagh: 20-25 minutes, ₹150-200.
• From South Delhi (Saket/Hauz Khas): 25-35 minutes, ₹250-350.

Post-match, set pickup at Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg (the main road, 300m from the gate) or ITO Ring Road rather than directly outside the stadium. Expect 2x-2.5x surge immediately after the final ball.

Parking

Limited designated parking is available in the stadium compound. Street parking is managed by Delhi Police in the surrounding ITO area on match days. The Ring Road has limited turnoffs for parking. If you are driving, arrive 2 hours early. The ITO Metro is so convenient and frequent that driving is genuinely inadvisable for this venue.

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Gate-by-Gate Entry Guide

Gate	Stand / Section	Location
Gate 1 (Main)	Club House, Members, VIP	Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, main entrance
Gate 2	North Stand	Northern boundary approach
Gate 3	East Stand	Eastern side, near Ring Road
Gate 4	South Stand	Southern end
Gate 5 (Corporate)	Premium Suites, Corporate	Adjacent to Gate 1 complex
Media Gate	Press, accredited	North side of Gate 1 complex

Gate 1 has the longest queues as the most visible and central entry. Fans with North Stand or East Stand tickets should target Gates 2 and 3 respectively for faster processing. Always check your specific gate on the ticket QR code before leaving your hotel.

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Food and Beverages Inside the Stadium

Arun Jaitley Stadium's in-stadium food reflects Delhi's broad street food culture — North Indian staples dominate, with some South Indian and fast food options.

Item	Approximate Price
Chole bhature	₹120–₹180
Aloo tikki	₹80–₹120
Rajma chawal	₹150–₹200
Chicken roll	₹180–₹250
Samosa (2 pieces)	₹80–₹100
Masala chai	₹50–₹70
Lassi	₹80–₹120
Cold drinks (500ml)	₹80–₹100
Water bottle (1L)	₹30–₹40 (MRP enforced)
Ice cream	₹100–₹150

The chole bhature available at the Club House concourse stalls is excellent — genuinely good Delhi-style chole with puffy bhatura. The aloo tikki with chutneys is a crowd-pleaser. The East Stand concourse has the most varied stall selection and tends to have shorter queues than the Club House concourse.

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Nearby Food Before and After the Match

Chandni Chowk (Pre-Match, Strongly Recommended)

Chandni Chowk, Delhi's most famous food street, is 20-25 minutes by metro from the ITO area (change at Kashmere Gate from Violet Line to Yellow Line, one stop to Chandni Chowk). The recommended pre-match sequence:

Paranthe Wali Gali: Delhi's legendary narrow lane of paratha shops. Stuffed parathas with butter, pickle, and yoghurt — ₹80-150 per paratha. Arrive at 4 PM for a 7:30 match, eat, and take the metro back south.

Jain Coffee House (near Fatehpuri Masjid): Delhi's old-school chai and snack spot. The evening chai-and-samosa ritual here, surrounded by Chandni Chowk chaos, is a genuine Delhi experience.

Natraj Dahi Bhalle Wala (Chandni Chowk main road): Famous since 1940 for dahi bhalle and aloo tikki. The cold yoghurt-and-chole combination is one of Delhi street food's great dishes. Under ₹100 per serving.

Budget Near the Stadium (Under ₹200)

ITO area dhabas and snack stalls: The food stalls and dhabas along the Ring Road near ITO and on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg serve standard Delhi street food — chole, chaat, rolls. Functional and cheap for a quick pre-match bite.

Mid-Range (₹500–₹1,200)

Indian Accent (The Manor, Friends Colony): One of India's most celebrated restaurants — too far for pre-match but an exceptional post-match dining option if you are celebrating. Book in advance.

Karim's (Old Delhi, Jama Masjid area): Delhi's most famous mughlai restaurant since 1913 — mutton korma, seekh kebab, butter naan. 20 minutes from ITO by cab. A legendary pre-match dinner option.

Moti Mahal (Daryaganj, 15 minutes by cab): The restaurant that claims to have invented butter chicken. A Delhi institution and absolutely worth a pre-match visit.

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Hotels Near Arun Jaitley Stadium

Budget (₹1,500–₹3,500 per night)

• Hotel Janpath (Connaught Place): Basic, clean, convenient for central Delhi with 10-minute metro access to ITO.
• Hotel Alka (near Connaught Place): Budget property in the CP area, good location for metro-based travel.
• OYO properties near ITO: Several options in the ITO and Daryaganj area — check recent reviews.

Mid-Range (₹3,500–₹8,000 per night)

• The Hans Hotel (Connaught Place): Well-maintained, central location, 15 minutes by metro to ITO.
• Radisson Blu New Delhi Paschim Vihar: Good quality but further from the stadium — better suited if combining with West Delhi sightseeing.
• Vivanta New Delhi, Dwarka: ITC property, 20-minute metro connection to ITO. Quality hospitality, slightly off-centre location.

Premium (₹8,000+ per night)

• The Leela Palace New Delhi (Chanakyapuri): Delhi's finest luxury hotel — the Presidential Suite here is the most expensive hotel room in India. 25 minutes by cab to the stadium. An extraordinary stay.
• The Imperial (Janpath): Colonial heritage property, one of Delhi's most iconic hotels, 15-minute metro to ITO. Recommended for the history-conscious traveller.
• ITC Maurya (Chanakyapuri): Landmark Delhi luxury property, Dum Pukht restaurant is one of India's finest. 25 minutes by cab to the stadium.

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Best Photo Spots at the Ground

1. Club House Upper Central Section — The Full Kotla Shot: The classic Arun Jaitley Stadium photograph — from the upper central Club House, you can frame the full oval with the North and South Stands visible at each end and the floodlights rising symmetrically overhead. The compact 41,820-seat bowl photographs as a coherent, unified structure from here.

2. East Stand Upper Rows — The Fort and River Background: From the upper rows of the East Stand, looking east over the boundary wall, the remains of Feroz Shah Kotla fort's turrets are sometimes visible above the stadium wall, with the Yamuna riverbed and the Delhi ridge beyond. Photographing the match with this 700-year-old archaeological ruin in the background is uniquely Kotla.

3. Pre-Match Flag Ceremony: Delhi Capitals' match-day entry ceremony involves flag-bearers, cheerleaders, and the DC anthem. Position yourself in the lower Club House near the boundary to capture the team's entry walk. Best with a 50-100mm equivalent lens on a smartphone.

4. Floodlight Glow at Dusk: The period between sunset (approximately 6:30-7:00 PM for March-April fixtures) and full darkness is when Kotla photographs best. The floodlights create a golden halo over the old pavilion structure that makes the stadium's 1883 heritage apparent.

5. North Stand at Full Voice — The Atmosphere Shot: Shooting from the South Stand toward the North Stand during a DC six — when 8,000-10,000 people in the North Stand stand simultaneously — is one of the most dynamic crowd photographs available at any IPL venue. Use burst mode.

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Insider Tips for IPL Match Day

ITO Metro is your answer to everything. Delhi traffic in the evening is formidable, and the ITO area in particular gets congested before and after major events. The Violet Line to ITO station, with its 400m walk to the gate, makes the metro the unambiguously superior transport option. Do not drive to Kotla on match day unless you have no alternative.

Chandni Chowk first, match second. If you are visiting Delhi for the first time, the pre-match Chandni Chowk food trail (leaving 2 hours before the match time to transit back) is one of the great combinations in Indian cricket travel. Delhi's old food culture and Kotla's old cricket atmosphere complement each other perfectly.

Delhi weather in IPL season: March fixtures are pleasant (20-28°C evenings). April fixtures are hot (35-40°C by afternoon, cooling to 28-32°C by match time). May fixtures are the hottest — evening temperatures of 32-38°C are possible and the humidity has not yet arrived. Light clothing, hydration, and sunscreen for afternoon arrival at the ground are essential. The covered upper tiers are somewhat cooler.

What to bring:

• E-ticket downloaded offline
• Government photo ID (Aadhaar, driving licence)
• Small backpack or crossbody bag
• Charged power bank
• Delhi Metro Smart Card (avoid token queue stress)
• Light cotton clothing

What NOT to bring:

• Outside alcohol or food in containers
• Glass items
• Selfie sticks
• Professional camera with detachable lenses without press pass
• Laser pointers (criminal offence at cricket grounds)

The djinn footnote: If anyone asks why fans make small offerings at the ruins of Feroz Shah Kotla fort adjacent to the stadium, it is because the ruins are believed to be inhabited by djinns (spirits), and the practice of leaving small packets of food and notes requesting wishes to be granted is a longstanding Delhi folk tradition. It is entirely unrelated to the cricket, but it is genuinely interesting to observe.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which Delhi Metro line serves Arun Jaitley Stadium (Kotla)?

The primary connection is via the Violet Line (Line 6), with ITO station being the closest (400-500m walk to the main gate). The Blue Line and Yellow Line connect at various points to the Violet Line — check the DMRC Journey Planner app for the fastest route from your specific accommodation.

Q: What is the significance of Anil Kumble's 10-wicket haul at this ground?

On 7 February 1999, Anil Kumble took all ten wickets in Pakistan's second innings in a Test match at Feroz Shah Kotla — figures of 10 for 74. It remains only the second instance in Test cricket history (after Jim Laker's 10 for 53 in 1956) of a bowler taking all ten wickets in a Test innings. A commemorative plaque at the ground marks the achievement. If you arrive early, it is worth seeking out.

Q: Is Chandni Chowk accessible by metro before a match?

Yes. From ITO station (Violet Line), change at Kashmere Gate and take the Yellow Line one stop north to Chandni Chowk station. Total metro journey: approximately 15-20 minutes. Chandni Chowk for an hour of food (4:30-5:30 PM for a 7:30 PM match), then metro back to ITO — this timing works comfortably.

Q: What time do gates open at Arun Jaitley Stadium?

Typically three hours before the scheduled first ball for IPL matches. For a 7:30 PM match, gates open around 4:30 PM. Arriving at gate opening means you get the full warm-up session, first choice of concourse food before it runs out, and comfortable security queue processing.

Q: Is the Feroz Shah Kotla fort open to visit on match day?

The Archaeological Survey of India site at Feroz Shah Kotla (including the actual fort ruins with the Ashokan pillar) is a separate ticketed attraction. It typically closes at sunset. A visit to the fort before an evening IPL match — it is literally adjacent to the cricket stadium — is entirely feasible if you arrive in Delhi by 2-3 PM. Entry costs ₹35 for Indian nationals.

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Next in the IPL Stadium Guide Series: PCA Stadium Mohali — best seats, how to reach from Chandigarh, gate guide, Sector 17 food recommendations, and insider tips for Punjab Kings home matches.