Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Salt Lake Stadium Seat Numbering Prompts Security Rethink
Salt Lake Stadium will host two important India football matches in October.
India will play Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay three days later.
The stadium has nearly 80,000 seats, but officials have not decided how many fans can attend.
They may allow more than 77,000 people if security officials agree.
Some seats behind pillars cannot be used properly.
Fans will receive digital tickets and must sit in the numbered seats they bought.
Officials are being extra careful after problems during Lionel Messi’s visit last December.
Brazilian turf experts said the playing field has improved, although workers still need to finish repairs.
Salt Lake Stadium has slightly fewer than 80,000 seats after refurbishment.
India will play Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay three days later.
Officials are considering allowing more than 77,000 spectators for each match.
Digital tickets will require fans to occupy their specifically assigned seats.
Brazilian turf experts praised recent improvements but said more work remains.
- Who
- The All India Football Federation, security officials, spectators, and the India, Brazil, and Uruguay football teams are involved.
- What
- Officials are deciding stadium capacity, ticketing arrangements, and security measures for two India matches.
- When
- India will play Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay three days later; additional tickets went on sale on Sunday at 6 p.m.
- Where
- The matches will be held at Salt Lake Stadium.
- Why
- Authorities want to maximize ticket revenue while preventing security problems like those reported during Lionel Messi’s December visit.
Higher Attendance and Revenue
Tighter Security and Crowd Control
Number of spectators
Higher Attendance and Revenue
The All India Football Federation hopes to admit slightly more than 77,000 fans to maximize revenue from the marquee matches.
Tighter Security and Crowd Control
Authorities may reduce attendance if they believe a larger crowd would compromise security.
Seating arrangements
Higher Attendance and Revenue
Numbered tickets allow the stadium to sell seats in an organized way for major matches.
Tighter Security and Crowd Control
Strictly enforcing assigned seating is intended to prevent fans from moving freely around the stands and reduce disorder.
Stadium readiness
Higher Attendance and Revenue
Brazilian turf experts were reportedly pleased with the foundation and recent improvement of the pitch.
Tighter Security and Crowd Control
The experts also said more work remained, while some seats behind pillars cannot be effectively used.
- Stadium capacity
- Slightly fewer than 80,000 seats after refurbishment before the 2017 Under-17 World Cup.
- Planned attendance
- Officials are currently considering allowing slightly more than 77,000 fans per match.
- Match schedule
- India faces Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay three days later.
- Ticket format
- Tickets will be issued digitally, with each spectator assigned a specific seat.
- Ticket prices
- Additional tickets were offered online for between ₹3,500 and ₹25,000.
- Unused seats
- Seats behind pillars are considered redundant.
- Pitch condition
- Brazilian turf experts said the field had improved but still required additional work.