Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi - Indian Premier League

Indian Premier League

The cricket stadium in Kochi was expected to serve the Chennai Super Kings or the Royal Challengers Bangalore as a home venue apart from Chennai and Bangalore for the initial IPL seasons. However both the franchises initially refused and later promised to reconsider the offer, fearing decline in revenues. Eventually no matches of the first 3 IPL seasons were played in Kochi.

The auction for expanding the initial eight franchises to ten for the 2011 season was held on 22 March 2010. Rendezvous Sports World made the second highest bid of 1533.32 crores, and elected to base its team in Kochi.

All renovation works at the stadium have been completed with new pitches, an improved outfield with better drainage facilities. The floodlight system was also renovated to the standards needed for day and night cricket. Kochi Tuskers Kerala have opened their office at the stadium. They have signed up with Federal Bank who is their principal sponsor and tickets for all matches would be available at select branches of the Federal Bank. Tickets are also available online through Kyazoonga who will be Kochi's exclusive ticket partner.

The first IPL match held at the stadium was between Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Royal Challengers Bangalore on 9 April 2011. The match was also Kochi Tuskers first ever IPL match.