Kozhikode Corporation EMS Stadium

{{Short description|Multi-purpose stadium in Kozhikode, Kerala}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Use Indian English|date=March 2022}} {{Infobox venue | name = EMS Stadium | nickname = | image = File:Kozhikode EMS Stadium.jpg | image_size = 350px | caption = | country = India | location = Rajaji Road, Kozhikode, Kerala | opened = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1977}} | seating_capacity = {{Ubl|50,000{{fact|date=February 2024}}}} | record_attendance = 100,000 | owner = Kozhikode Corporation | operator = Kerala Football Association | surface = Grass | architect = RK Remesh | tenants = {{ubl|India national football team (1987–present)|Kerala football team (1960–present)|Gokulam Kerala FC (2017–present)|Gokulam Kerala FC (women) (2018–present)|Calicut FC (2024–present)|Kerala Blasters FC (2025–2026)}} }}

The '''EMS Stadium''', located in Kozhikode, Kerala, India,<ref>{{cite web |author=Sayak Dipta Dey |date=17 November 2017 |title=I-League 2017/18 : What does the season have in store? |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/i-league-2017-18-what-does-the-season-have-in-store |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303034726/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/i-league-2017-18-what-does-the-season-have-in-store |archive-date=3 March 2020 |access-date=2020-03-03 |website=sportskeeda.com |language=en}}</ref> is a multi-purpose stadium primarily used for football matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kozhikode.com/importance.htm|title=football in Calicut|website=Kozhikode.com|access-date=21 April 2021|archive-date=24 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024112851/http://kozhikode.com/importance.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thesouthfirst.com/kerala/stepmotherly-treatment-to-i-league-clubs-gokulam-kerala-fans-irate-over-no-super-cup-qualifiers-live-telecast/|title='Stepmotherly treatment to I-League clubs': Gokulam Kerala fans irate over no Super Cup qualifiers live telecast|date=7 April 2023|access-date=10 October 2023|website=thesouthfirst.com|publisher=The South First News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010135948/https://thesouthfirst.com/kerala/stepmotherly-treatment-to-i-league-clubs-gokulam-kerala-fans-irate-over-no-super-cup-qualifiers-live-telecast/|archive-date=10 October 2023|location=Kochi|first1=Sreerag|last1=PS}}</ref> The stadium is home to the I-League club Gokulam Kerala. With a capacity of 50,000, it is the third largest football stadium in India.

Built in 1977, It is named after the first Chief Minister of Kerala E. M. S. Namboodiripad.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gokulamkeralafc.com/album/ems-stadium-our-home/ |title=EMS Stadium: Our home |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421053013/https://www.gokulamkeralafc.com/album/ems-stadium-our-home/ |archive-date=21 April 2021 |website=Gokulam Kerala FC |accessdate=}}</ref> Gokulam Kerala has been playing their home matches at the Stadium since 2017 and has had a successful run at the stadium winning their first I-League home match against East Bengal with a score of 2–1.

The stadium has played host to several important football tournaments, such as Super Cup, Santosh Trophy, and Sait Nagjee Football Tournament. The stadium is considered a historic and important venue for football in the region.

==Renovations== The Corporation Stadium has undergone significant renovations over the years to improve its infrastructure and facilities. In 2005, the stadium underwent a renovation to host State Bank of Travancore National Football League matches. Another renovation was done in 2011 in preparation for the National Games in 2012, with the Corporation of Kozhikode and the government investing around 18 Crore for the upgrade.

The new design of the stadium by RK Ramesh, includes state-of-the-art amenities such as a VVIP lounge with a seating capacity of 200, dressing rooms, media center, and other facilities. The grandstand pavilion was also upgraded for the National Games in 2012, and the stadium was fitted with improved floodlights to ensure high-quality matches. The EMS Stadium has been renovated to be an international standard stadium for both football and cricket.

The stadium is also equipped with modern facilities like VIP seating arrangements, food courts, and washrooms. The stadium has also installed CCTV cameras for security and safety measures. The stadium is easily accessible to public transport.<ref>{{Cite web |title=E.M.S. Stadium Famous Stadium in Kerala |url=https://www.indiamapped.com/stadiums-in-india/kerala-e-m-s-stadium/ |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=www.indiamapped.com |archive-date=5 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205021942/http://www.indiamapped.com/stadiums-in-india/kerala-e-m-s-stadium/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The EMS Stadium is a premier sports venue in Kerala and continues to host a wide range of events, such as concerts and festivals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/EMS-Stadium-Gets-Ready-for-Some-Cricketing-Action/2014/02/07/article2042269.ece|title=EMS Stadium Gets Ready for Some Cricketing Action|access-date=14 July 2014|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714135549/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/EMS-Stadium-Gets-Ready-for-Some-Cricketing-Action/2014/02/07/article2042269.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Images == {| class="wikitable" |+ ! 300x300px ! |}

==Football== It was the home ground of Viva Kerala in the I-league. It was also the home ground of Gokulam Kerala, and its women's team.<ref>{{cite web |last1=s.pai |first1=vinayak |title=I League 2017/18: Gokulam Kerala FC 1-1 Mohun Bagan: 5 talking points from the game |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/indian-football/i-league-2017-18-gokulam-kerala-fc-1-1-mohun-bagan-5-talking-points-from-the-game |access-date=24 June 2018 |language=en |archive-date=24 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624205026/https://www.sportskeeda.com/amp/football/i-league-2017-18-gokulam-kerala-fc-1-1-mohun-bagan-5-talking-points-from-the-game/3 |url-status=live }}</ref> Currently the home of Calicut FC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rayan |first=Stan |date=2024-10-21 |title=Super League Kerala table-toppers Calicut FC aspires to reach pinnacle of Indian football ecosystem |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/calicut-fc-super-league-kerala-club-i-league-isl-aspiration-vk-mathews-club-owner-head-coach-ian-gillan/article68780201.ece |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=Sportstar |language=en}}</ref>

This stadium is famous for the football crazy fans of Kozhikode. Santosh Trophy and Sait Nagjee Football Tournament were held at the stadium.

The stadium hosted matches of 2023 Indian Super Cup.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/football/2023/04/12/super-cup-sreenidi-deccan-versus-kerala-blasters.html|title=Super Cup: Sreenidi Deccan beat Kerala Blasters|website=onmanorama.com|location=Kozhikode|publisher=Onmanorama News|date=12 April 2023|access-date=13 April 2023|archive-date=13 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413062844/https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/football/2023/04/12/super-cup-sreenidi-deccan-versus-kerala-blasters.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/kerala-blasters-vs-sreenidi-deccan-live-score-super-cup-2023-streaming-india-telecast-highlights-lineups/article66726275.ece|title=Kerala Blasters vs Sreenidi Deccan HIGHLIGHTS, Super Cup 2023: Hassan, Castaneda goals help SDEC stun KBFC 2–0|website=sportstar.thehindu.com|location=Kozhikode|publisher=Sportstar|date=12 April 2023|access-date=13 April 2023|archive-date=12 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412154024/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/kerala-blasters-vs-sreenidi-deccan-live-score-super-cup-2023-streaming-india-telecast-highlights-lineups/article66726275.ece}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/odisha-fc-bask-in-kozhikode-rain-beat-bengaluru-fc-to-claim-hero-super-cup-crown|title=Odisha FC bask in Kozhikode rain; beat Bengaluru FC to claim Hero Super Cup crown|website=the-aiff.com|publisher=All India Football Federation|date=25 April 2023|access-date=25 April 2023|first=Akhil|last=Rawat|location=Kozhikode|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425180906/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/odisha-fc-bask-in-kozhikode-rain-beat-bengaluru-fc-to-claim-hero-super-cup-crown|archive-date=25 April 2023}}</ref>

===Major football matches hosted=== ====AFC Women's Championship==== 1980 AFC Women's Championship, where the Indian team won silver, was held here.

====1987 Nehru Cup==== The Kozhikode Corporation EMS stadium hosted the 1987 Nehru Cup, which was won by the Soviet Union. National teams of Bulgaria, China, Denmark, Germany, India, Nigeria, Soviet Union and Syria participated in the tournament.

====Sait Nagjee Football Tournament==== 2016 Sait Nagjee Trophy Teams {| class="wikitable sortable"u |- !Team!!Location!!Confederation |- | FC Dnipro Reserves|| Ukraine || UEFA |- | 1860 München II || Munich || UEFA |- | Argentina U-23 || Argentina || CONMEBOL |- | Atlético Paranaense Reserves || Curitiba || CONMEBOL |- | Volyn Lutsk || Ukraine || UEFA |- | Rapid București || Bucharest || UEFA |- | Shamrock Rovers || Dublin || UEFA |- | Watford Reserves || Watford || UEFA |}

===National Games=== The stadium hosted football matches for the 35th National Games.<ref name="thehindu.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/kerala-to-host-35th-national-games-from-january-31/article6152611.ece|title=Kerala to host 35th National Games from January 31|date=27 June 2014|via=www.thehindu.com|access-date=29 July 2018|archive-date=22 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122121446/http://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/kerala-to-host-35th-national-games-from-january-31/article6152611.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Other uses== ===Cricket=== It also hosted the veterans of India and Pakistan cricket match in which legends like Ijaz Ahmed, Syed Kirmani and others played. In 1994, touring West Indies had taken Mumbai in a three-day encounter. West Indies were dismissed for 176 and Bombay ended the day at 53/2. The match, however, had to be called off after the opening day owing to law and order problems in the wake of a bandh.

===Other Event=== It also hosted many cultural events held at Kozhikode like malabar mahotsavam. It also hosted the inaugural performance of world tour of A. R. Rahman, the Academy Award–winning musician.

==Accessibility==

The Kozhikode EMS Stadium is located in the heart of the city. It lies beside the Pavamani Road between Rajaji road and New Bus stand, a common stretch among many city bus routes. The Stadium Mavoor Road from the Western side allows access from Mananchira and Arayadathupalam, although there is no public transport along this route. The stadium is situated at 2.5 km from the Kozhikode railway station and railway stations respectively. The stadium is {{cvt|26|km}} from Calicut International Airport, and {{cvt|30|km}} from Thamarassery.

==References== {{reflist}}

==Further reading== *{{cite web|url=https://khelnow.com/football/2023-05-kozhikode-corporation-gokulam-kerala-contract-not-renewed|title=Kozhikode Corporation decides not to renew contract of Gokulam Kerala home stadium|website=KhelNow.com|date=29 May 2023|access-date=4 June 2023|first=Alen Philip|last=Mathew|archive-date=3 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603172029/https://khelnow.com/football/2023-05-kozhikode-corporation-gokulam-kerala-contract-not-renewed}} *{{cite web|url=https://www.insidesport.in/gokulam-kerala-ousted-from-ems-corporation-stadium-as-kozhikode-corporation-opt-no-contract-renewal/|title=No Way HOME, Gokulam Kerala ousted from EMS Corporation Stadium, left in lurch without a ground|website=insidesport.in|publisher=Inside Sport India|date=28 May 2023|access-date=4 June 2023|first=Triyasha|last=Chatterjee|archive-date=28 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528071704/https://www.insidesport.in/gokulam-kerala-ousted-from-ems-corporation-stadium-as-kozhikode-corporation-opt-no-contract-renewal/}}

==External links== {{commons category|EMS Stadium}} *[http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/ground/58253.html EMS Stadium] at CrickInfo

{{Stadiums in Kerala |state=expanded}} {{Football stadiums in India}} {{Authority control}} {{Coord|11.256405|75.785708|display=title|format=dms|type:landmark_scale:3000}}

Category:1977 establishments in Kerala Category:Chirag United Club Kerala Category:Gokulam Kerala FC Category:Sports venues completed in 1977 Category:20th-century architecture in India Category:Football venues in Kerala Category:Football venues in India