East Bengal Ground set to complete few infrastructural upgrades soon, desires to host ISL games

The East Bengal Ground in Maidan, Kolkata, is finally witnessing the transformation it has deserved for years. With multiple infrastructure upgrades, the ground is nearing completion. A brand new astro-turf is set to be launched soon, which will reportedly cost around ₹1 crore, while the President’s Box and the players’ lounge beside the VVIP box are almost ready. A new corporate office is also coming up behind the President’s Box, adding to the club’s growing professional setup. The floodlights are undergoing renovation and are expected to be fully completed by March 2026.

On January 31, the newly revamped club lounge was re-launched in partnership with a new co-sponsor, McDowell’s. Spread across more than 5 acres, this state-of-the-art facility will include a full-time residential academy aimed at nurturing young footballers in a high-performance professional environment. The academy will feature multiple football fields, modern training infrastructure, and residential facilities combining education, football training, and holistic player development.

With all these major upgrades underway, East Bengal Club is preparing its home ground facilities and is expected to host ISL matches of the East Bengal Club itself from 2027-28, if AIFF permits them. The remaining (if any) infrastructure development will be completed over the next year to meet all the minimum ISL hosting requirements and finally bring matches back to their “true home”.

Currently, the East Bengal FC utilizes the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata as their home turf for major games, including the ISL. The stadium has a capacity of around 85,000 spectators. The team also uses the East Bengal Ground for practice and smaller games, which has a capacity of around 23,500 spectators.

For the fans, this moment feels long overdue but incredibly satisfying. A club with East Bengal’s legacy. History and an emotional bond with Indian football always deserved a storing grassroot foundation. If executed right, this ground won’t just secure East Bengal’s football future; it could shape the next football star and leave a lasting mark on Indian football itself.