July 28 – The hill city of Shillong in India is getting a serious football facelift. The Government of Meghalaya has broken ground on a new 40,000-capacity stadium – a project that aims to put the state, and India, firmly on the international football map.
Planned to meet full FIFA and AFC specifications, the Mawkhanu Football Stadium is being billed as the country’s largest purpose-built football venue. Designed by Collage Design, the stadium is expected to host everything from top-tier international matches to major cultural events.
The foundation stone was laid recently in the presence of India’s finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma, who framed the project as part of the state’s wider push to upgrade sporting infrastructure and keep the youth engaged through sport.
Built into Shillong’s natural terrain, the design aims to blend spectacle with sustainability. The stadium has promised to feature uninterrupted sightlines from every seat, a natural grass pitch tailored to local conditions, and over 80% roof coverage – good news for fans when the rain inevitably rolls in.
Inside, the West Stand will house all the trimmings: locker rooms, media zones, lounges, corporate boxes and more. Outside, large plazas are planned to help generate matchday buzz, and the bamboo-inspired façade gives a nod to the region’s artisan roots – a modern stadium with a distinctly local edge.
Mawkhanu will also serve as a multi-purpose venue for concerts, public gatherings and community events. A full-service clubhouse – featuring a swimming pool, gym, tennis courts, squash courts, snooker rooms, and restaurants – will support year-round usage and financial sustainability.
The venue has also been future-proofed, with integrated digital infrastructure and broadcast-ready lighting to meet global standards.
Once complete, Mawkhanu will be more than just a stadium. It’s being pitched as a year-round community hub – and a potential game-changer for football in northeast India.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1754135550labto1754135550ofdlr1754135550owedi1754135550sni@g1754135550niwe.1754135550yrrah1754135550
