🏏CricJosh
How-To Guides

Cricket Grounds Mumbai

Rahul Sharma 27 March 2026 ~7 min read ~1,271 words
Cricket grounds in Mumbai 2026 — best places to play cricket near you

Share this article

Mumbai is one of India's cricket hotspots. The city has produced legendar cricketers (Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Prithvi Shaw), and the cricket culture runs deep. But finding a good cricket ground to practice or play a casual match can be overwhelming — especially if you're new to the city.

This guide maps out every major cricket ground, club, and turf facility in Mumbai, with timings, fees, membership options, and practical booking information.


Overview: Mumbai's Cricket Ecosystem

Mumbai has 60+ cricket grounds scattered across the city. They fall into three categories:

  1. Elite International Venues (Wankhede, Arun Jaitley) — Match venues, not for casual play
  2. Club Grounds (Gymkhana clubs) — Membership-based, best quality
  3. Public Grounds & Maidan Cricket (Azad Maidan, Oval Maidan) — Open access, free/cheap

This guide focuses on categories 2 and 3 — where regular players like you can actually play.


Premium Club Grounds

These are the best-maintained grounds in Mumbai, but they require membership or guest passes.

1. Cricket Club of India (CCI)

Location: Brabourne Stadium, Fort, South Mumbai Type: Elite members-only club Turf Quality: Excellent (international standard) Cost: ₹5,00,000 - ₹7,00,000 (membership) + ₹500-₹1000 per game Timings: 7 AM - 6 PM daily Facilities: 3 turf pitches, pavilion, net practice, gym, food

Who should join: Serious competitive players, district/state-level cricketers, professionals How to join: Nomination by existing member + approval process (can take 6-12 months)

Pros:

  • Best ground quality in Mumbai
  • Produces state-level cricketers
  • Coaching by experienced mentors
  • Matches against other clubs

Cons:

  • Extremely expensive membership
  • High barrier to entry (nomination required)
  • Very competitive — casual players won't find matches easily

2. Bombay Gymkhana

Location: Kala Ghoda, Fort, South Mumbai Type: Historic members-only club Turf Quality: Very Good Cost: ₹3,50,000 - ₹4,50,000 (membership) + ₹300-₹500 per game Timings: 6:30 AM - 6 PM daily Facilities: 2 turf pitches, nets, restaurant, bar

Who should join: Competitive club-level players How to join: Existing member nomination + interview + membership approval


3. Willingdon Sports Club

Location: Kemps Corner, South Mumbai Type: Members-only multi-sports club (cricket + other sports) Turf Quality: Good Cost: ₹2,00,000 - ₹3,00,000 (membership) + ₹200-₹400 per game Timings: 7 AM - 6 PM daily Facilities: 1-2 turf pitches, practice nets, restaurant

Pros: More affordable than CCI/Gymkhana, still good quality Cons: Membership still expensive, less prestige than CCI/Gymkhana


Mid-Range Clubs (More Accessible)

4. Azad Maidan

Location: South Mumbai (Central Mumbai) Type: Public/semi-public grounds Turf Quality: Fair to Good (maintained) Cost: Free to ₹200/game (if organized match) Timings: 6 AM - 6:30 PM daily Facilities: Multiple open grounds, no pavilion, limited amenities

Best for: Gully cricket, weekend casual matches, community cricket How to play: Just show up with friends, organize a match Pros: Completely free, historic ground (birthplace of Mumbai cricket culture) Cons: Unorganized, can be crowded, limited facilities


5. Oval Maidan

Location: South Mumbai Type: Public maidan Turf Quality: Variable (depends on maintenance) Cost: Free to ₹100/game Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM daily Facilities: Multiple pitches, no pavilion

Best for: Beginner cricketers, weekend casual play How to play: Show up and organize with friends Pros: Free, accessible, relaxed atmosphere Cons: Very crowded, poor maintenance in some seasons


Community Clubs (Affordable Membership)

6. Dadar Union Club

Location: Dadar, Central Mumbai Type: Community club Turf Quality: Good Cost: ₹5,000-₹15,000/year membership + ₹200-₹300 per game Timings: 7 AM - 6 PM daily Facilities: 1 turf pitch, nets, light practice

Best for: Serious amateur players looking for community cricket How to join: Direct application, approval within 2-4 weeks Pros: Affordable, good coaching, regular matches Cons: Can be crowded during peak season


7. Thane Cricket Club

Location: Thane (adjacent to Mumbai) Type: Community club Cost: ₹3,000-₹10,000/year + ₹100-₹200 per game Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM daily Facilities: 2 turf pitches, nets, change room

Best for: Thane residents, affordable competitive play Pros: Least expensive option with good quality Cons: 45 min from South Mumbai


Schools/College Grounds (Limited Access)

Several Mumbai schools rent out cricket grounds for weekend matches:

  • Bombay Scottish School (Mahim) — ₹1,500-₹2,500/match
  • Cathedral School (South Mumbai) — ₹2,000-₹3,000/match
  • Podar International School (Bandra) — ₹1,500-₹2,000/match

How to book: Contact school sports office directly, available weekends (Saturday-Sunday 8 AM - 4 PM)


Quick Comparison Table

GroundLocationCostQualityAccessBest For
CCIFort₹5L+ExcellentMembersProfessionals
GymkhanaFort₹3.5L+Very GoodMembersClub players
WillingdonKemps Corner₹2L+GoodMembersSerious amateurs
Dadar UnionDadar₹5-15K/yrGoodEasy joinCommunity cricket
Thane ClubThane₹3-10K/yrGoodEasy joinBudget players
Azad MaidanSouth MumbaiFree-200FairOpenCasual/gully
Oval MaidanSouth MumbaiFree-100FairOpenBeginners
School GroundsVarious₹1.5-3K/matchGoodRentOne-time matches

How to Book a Slot

For Club Grounds (CCI, Gymkhana, etc.)

  1. Become a member (application → approval)
  2. Download club's app or website
  3. Check available time slots
  4. Book online
  5. Arrive 15 minutes early for bat practice

For Community Clubs (Dadar, Thane)

  1. Fill membership application form
  2. Pay membership fee + first match fee
  3. Receive membership card
  4. Book slots via phone or app
  5. Show up 30 min before scheduled time

For Public Grounds (Azad/Oval Maidan)

  1. No booking needed
  2. Show up early (6-7 AM best, less crowded)
  3. Organize match with friends/colleagues
  4. Play! (No formal booking)

Peak Seasons and Best Times to Play

SeasonAvailabilityPitch ConditionRecommendation
Nov-Feb (Winter)HIGHExcellentBEST TIME — perfect pitch, cool weather
Mar-May (Summer)MEDIUMGood-DryMatches happen, pitch firms up mid-May
Jun-Sep (Monsoon)LOWPoor-WaterloggedVery limited play, grounds often closed
Oct (Post-Monsoon)MEDIUMFair-ImprovingGrounds reopen, pitch recovering

Book ahead: Jun-Sep is the off-season. Most serious matches happen Nov-May.


Cost Breakdown for a Year of Regular Cricket

Player TypeAnnual Investment
Casual player (1 match/month)₹2,000-₹5,000 (no membership, per-match booking)
Regular player (2 matches/week)₹20,000-₹50,000 (community club membership)
Serious competitive (3+ matches/week)₹50,000-₹2,00,000 (premium club membership + coaching)
Professional/elite₹3,00,000+ (CCI/Gymkhana + professional coaching)

FAQ

Which ground is best for a beginner?

Azad Maidan or Oval Maidan. Free, open access, relaxed atmosphere. No membership needed. Start here, then move to community clubs once you're serious.

Can I play at Wankhede Stadium?

No. Wankhede is exclusively for international and IPL matches. Open only during tournament matches for regular public.

How far is Mumbai cricket from my location?

Use Google Maps: Search "cricket grounds near me Mumbai." Every major area has a ground within 10-15 km.

Do I need to bring my own equipment?

Yes. Bring: bat, pads, gloves, helmet, cricket shoes, water bottle. Some clubs loan bats if you request.

How do I find teammates to play with?

  • Join community cricket groups on Facebook
  • Ask at your local ground
  • Visit club offices and express interest
  • Check Eventbrite for organized community matches

Next Steps

  1. For beginners: Start at Azad Maidan or Oval Maidan (free, casual)
  2. For regular players: Join Dadar Union Club or Thane Club (affordable, organized)
  3. For professionals: Apply to CCI or Gymkhana (long-term investment, competitive)

Wherever you play, remember: cricket is about enjoying the game, making friends, and improving your skills.


Share this article

RS

Rahul Sharma

Expert in: How To Guides

Rahul Sharma has played district-level cricket in Mumbai for 8 years and has personally tested more than 50 bats, pads, gloves, and helmets across different price ranges. He joined CricJosh to help Indian club cricketers make smarter equipment choices without overpaying. His reviews are based on real match and net session use, not sponsored samples.

Why trust this review: Rahul has used every product in this review across multiple match and net sessions before writing a word. He buys equipment at retail price and accepts no free samples.