Punjab approves Rs400m upgrade for Lahore's National Hockey Stadium
The Punjab government has approved Rs400 million for the National Hockey Stadium upgrade in Lahore, giving Pakistan’s most famous hockey venue a major facelift. The Pakistan Hockey Federation said on Friday that the funding will cover the stadium and its adjoining practice pitch, with work due to finish by January 2027.
The PHF said the money was approved by the provincial government and Sports Board Punjab after a special request from the federation. The project centres on laying a new astroturf to bring playing facilities up to international standards, alongside repairs and upgrades to the venue’s infrastructure.
Training facilities will also be improved so players get access to modern amenities. “The initiative aims to strengthen hockey in Pakistan and improve facilities for players,” the federation said.
National Hockey Stadium upgrade: what the money covers
The headline item is a new playing surface. The fresh astroturf is meant to meet the standards expected at international events, replacing a pitch that has seen years of heavy use and repeated patchwork.
Beyond the turf, the project takes in the stadium’s wider infrastructure. Stands, dressing rooms, floodlights and support areas are all in line for repair and modernisation, while the adjoining practice pitch gets its own overhaul so teams can train on a surface that matches the main ground.
A venue with a long history
Few grounds in Pakistan carry the weight of the National Hockey Stadium. It staged the 1990 Men’s Hockey World Cup and five editions of the Champions Trophy, in 1978, 1988, 1994, 1998 and 2004. In January 2018 it hosted a two-match series between Pakistan and a World XI, one of the rare international hockey events held in the country in recent years.
The stadium is counted among the largest hockey-specific venues in the world, with room for around 45,000 spectators.
From torn-up turf to fresh funding
The venue’s playing surface has had a troubled recent past. In August 2022 the astroturf was removed to make way for a political rally, damaging the base underneath. A renovation followed in 2023 at a cost of around Rs180 million, with Rs120 million of that spent on a new blue astroturf imported from Belgium and approved by the International Hockey Federation.
The new Rs400 million package goes well beyond that earlier fix, covering the whole venue rather than just the pitch. For the PHF, which asked the Punjab government for the funds, it is a chance to give the national game a home worthy of its history.
How much is being spent on the stadium?
Rs400 million, approved by the Punjab government and Sports Board Punjab, covering the National Hockey Stadium and its adjoining practice pitch in Lahore.
When will the upgrade be finished?
The PHF says the project will be completed by January 2027.
What does the project include?
A new astroturf built to international standards, repairs and upgrades to stadium infrastructure and facilities, and improved training infrastructure for players.
Which major events has the stadium hosted?
The 1990 Men’s Hockey World Cup, the Champions Trophy in 1978, 1988, 1994, 1998 and 2004, and a Pakistan versus World XI series in January 2018.
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