HPCA Dharamshala Cricket Stadium, Himachal Pradesh

Quick facts: Dharamshala Cricket Stadium at a glance

About the HPCA Dharamshala Cricket Stadium

Rolling meadows, snow-covered peaks and thick oak and coniferous forest wrap around the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, the HPCA stadium, in Dharamshala. Fans watch cricket with misty, snow-dusted mountains as a backdrop while breathing clean hill air. The winter experience is the one people remember most: the snow-capped Dhauladhar range fills the view beyond the boundary through the colder months.

The ground opened for competitive cricket in 2003 and was developed into an international venue over the following years. It is one of the highest cricket stadiums in the world at roughly 1,457 metres, and it was among the first grounds in India to lay winter rye grass, which keeps the outfield green even in the cold months. With no perimeter fence blocking the lower tiers, the mountain view from the stands is almost unbroken. During the IPL and international fixtures, thousands of fans travel in from across India, and the stadium stays open to visitors on non-match days too.

Timings and entry fee

On non-match days the stadium is generally open to visitors from around 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and entry is a nominal fee of about Rs 20 to Rs 30 per person. On match days the ground runs on the fixture schedule and access is by match ticket only, with prices that vary widely by game and stand (roughly Rs 500 up to several thousand for premium seats). Photography is allowed and snacks are sold on the premises.

Match tickets are sold online when a fixture is announced and, when available, at the stadium counter. For the current published stadium timings and the latest entry fee details, check the dedicated pages before you plan your visit, as both change around the match calendar.

How to reach HPCA Stadium

The stadium is on the edge of Dharamshala town, an easy hop from McLeodganj. Here is each route with its distance and the practical detail that matters.

From McLeodganj it is a short 20 to 30 minute drive downhill. If you are staying in McLeodganj or central Dharamshala, a local taxi is the simplest way to the gate, especially on match days when parking near the ground fills up early.

Stadium records and famous matches

The ground first hosted IPL cricket around 2010, when the Chennai Super Kings met the then Kings XI Punjab, now the Punjab Kings, who used Dharamshala as a home venue. Its first full international came soon after. The stadium hosted its first ODI on 27 January 2013, India against England, followed by its first T20I on 2 October 2015, India against South Africa, and its first Test from 25 to 29 March 2017, India against Australia. It has since become a regular stop on India's home calendar and hosted matches during the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Home teams here include the Indian cricket team for internationals, the Himachal Pradesh state side in domestic cricket, and the Punjab Kings for their designated IPL home fixtures.

Best time to visit and things to do nearby

The most comfortable months are March to June and September to December, with clear skies and mild days. For the postcard scene, the snow-clad Dhauladhar backdrop, come between December and February. Time your trip to a scheduled fixture if you want the full crowd atmosphere, or visit on a quiet non-match day to walk the stands and take in the view. A trip to the stadium pairs naturally with the rest of Dharamshala's places to visit.

A few worthwhile stops within easy reach of the ground:

• Namgyal Monastery, the Dalai Lama's personal monastery and the largest Tibetan monastery outside Tibet, a centre for Buddhist studies.

• Dal Lake, Tota Rani, a small, calm lake ringed by deodar and pine at about 1,775 m, near McLeodganj.

• Gyuto Monastery, known worldwide for tantric meditation, ritual arts and Buddhist philosophy.

• Bhagsunag Temple, an 18th-century Shiva temple about 2 km from McLeodganj main square, with a waterfall close by.

• Triund, a popular day-trek and camping ridge in the Dhauladhar range for wide valley and starry-night views.

Planning to build a full trip around the game and the monasteries? Browse our Dharamshala tour packages or the wider Himachal tour packages to combine the stadium, McLeodganj and the Kangra valley in one customisable itinerary.