When the report came out that Ahmedabad is going to host the opener and final of the World Cup 2023, I was on cloud 9. Then the news broke that the world’s largest cricket stadium is going to host the India vs Pakistan game as well. And people around the world started looking for flights to Ahmedabad.
The day schedule was announced, the hotel room prices around the dates of the India vs Pakistan match became 10 times. The prices of domestic flights to Ahmedabad are up by a minimum of 800%. People started booking hospital beds as their rates were nominal compared to hotel rooms.
In short, another blockbuster is on the cards.
I have watched most of the matches live since it has become the Narendra Modi Stadium. So I know the stadium well except the premium section.
In CWC 23, I booked the opener and got the tickets for the final as well. As I know the stadium well, I am sharing some tips that will make your experience memorable.
I know most of you are coming for India vs Pakistan, but there are other matches as well, plus the final will also be played here. So it is important to plan your trip well and make some time to explore this enormous beauty called Narendra Modi Stadium. Gates will open three hours before the start time. Thus, make sure you arrive two hours before the start time as there will be a queue for check-in. Once you check-in, you will be awestruck by the architecture of the stadium. You will take some time to soak in the beauty and automatically start exploring the stadium. The process of exploring and taking pictures will take 30-45 minutes. Moreover, as it is the World Cup, there will most probably be props in the stadium.
In short, it is highly important that you enter the stadium with a 30-45 minute window before the start of any match.
Best Source of Commute
No matter where you have booked the hotel in Ahmedabad, you should find the nearest metro station, board the metro train and reach the stadium.
It drops you off steps away from the stadium and runs until late at night on match days. On match days, roads within a 2 km radius of the stadium will be closed. So if you are planning to come by cab or bring your own vehicle, you will have to walk a lot. If you choose the metro as your mode of transportation, you can reach the stadium without being delayed by traffic and without worrying about finding a parking spot. Plus, you can save your legs from all the walking.
Hence, it is proven that the metro is the best source of commute on match days during CWC 23.
Eateries around the stadium
If you are someone who doesn’t like overpriced food inside the stadium, then make sure you enter the stadium after having a full-course meal. For that, having brunch around the stadium is a good idea. And the best place for brunch around the stadium is Gwalia Sweets.
Gwalia Sweets
If you go by its name then you might think it is just a shop that sells sweets but the outlet near the stadium is the one which is converted into a restaurant. You will get everything here from Starters to desserts. From chaat to chinese and from north Indian to south Indian, you will get a great variety here. The taste is lip-smacking and the price is very nominal. In other words, at gwalia sweets, you will get a great taste at a nominal rate. As it has an inbuilt sweet shop, you will get a great variety of desserts as well.
They only serve vegetarian food. If you want non-veg food, then there are other options within a 100m range. The auto fare from the stadium will be 15-20 bucks.
Tea post
If you want to have tea or coffee and a quick bite before or after the match, then Tea Post is the best option for you. Tea Post’s Chandkheda outlet is the best one for hangouts, and it serves great tea as well as coffee. Along with tea and coffee, they serve some delicious snacks. My favourite combo at Tea Post is cold coffee and cheese puff. They serve fresh and delicious puffs.
The price of tea will be on the higher side, but the quality and ambience will create the worth. If you are not a tea person and want a better option, then you will get a hocco outlet, an unlimited pizza option, and one more cafe in the same building. Again, the auto fare from the stadium will be 15-20 bucks.
Entry
Mainly, there are two gates to enter for the general public. Gate number 1 is the main entrance. If you have booked seats in blocks A, B, C, D, E, J, K, L, M, or N, then you will enter through the main gate.
This is what the entry from gate number 1 looks like.
You have to enter from gate no. 2 if you have booked seats in any of the F, G, H, P, Q, or R blocks. This entry is through the GCA clubhouse and residential societies.
This is what the entry from gate number 2 looks like.
There are a couple of more gates, but those gates are for the entry of VIPs and players. These gates are at the back side of the stadium.
I hope this information about the Narendra Modi Stadium will help you plan your itinerary and make your experience at the CWC 23 memorable.
