The Gaddafi Stadium is Pakistan’s most iconic and historic cricket venue, located in Lahore, Punjab. Constructed in 1959, it was originally called the Lahore Stadium before being renamed in 1974 in honor of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who supported Pakistan’s stance in the 1974 OIC Conference.
Designed by architect Nayyar Ali Dada, the stadium features Mughal-style red brickwork and arches, giving it a unique cultural identity. It was completely renovated in 1995–96 for the 1996 Cricket World Cup, making it Pakistan’s first modern cricket stadium with plastic seating, floodlights, backup generators, and enclosed stands.
Today, it is the headquarters of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the home ground of the Pakistan national team, as well as the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
📍 Location
- City: Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
- Address: Ferozepur Road, near Liberty Market, Gulberg III
- Accessibility: Well-connected via Lahore Metro, local transport, and close to hotels, shopping areas, and restaurants.
- Nearby landmarks: Liberty Market, Qaddafi Chowk, Punjab Stadium, and cultural attractions like Lahore Museum and Shalimar Gardens.
🏏 Cricket History
- 1959: Stadium built and inaugurated as Lahore Stadium.
- 1974: Renamed as Gaddafi Stadium after Muammar Gaddafi’s speech in Lahore.
- 1995–96: Major renovation with world-class design, plastic seating, floodlights, and shops/offices under stands.
- 1996 World Cup Final: Hosted the famous Sri Lanka vs Australia match.
- 2009 Lahore Attack: After the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus near Gaddafi Stadium, international cricket was halted in Pakistan.
- 2017 PSL Final: Marked the historic return of international-level cricket in Pakistan.
It remains a symbol of Pakistan cricket’s resilience and revival.
🌟 Key Highlights
- Pakistan’s first stadium with floodlights and independent power backup.
- Seating capacity ~27,000 after modern renovations (originally over 60,000).
- Headquarters of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
- Hosted historic 1996 World Cup Final.
- Cultural design inspired by Mughal architecture with hand-laid red brickwork.
- Venue for historic PSL matches and Pakistan’s cricketing resurgence.
🎯 Famous Matches
- 1976 Test vs New Zealand – Javed Miandad & Asif Iqbal’s 281-run stand.
- 1996 Cricket World Cup Final – Sri Lanka defeated Australia to lift their maiden World Cup.
- 2002 Test vs New Zealand – Pakistan’s massive win by an innings and 324 runs.
- 2009 – Last international before Sri Lanka team attack halted global cricket in Pakistan.
- 2017 PSL Final – Return of international cricket to Pakistan.
- 2022 Asia Cup Qualifiers & international series – Marked Pakistan’s full comeback as a safe cricketing host.
👥 Fan Experience
- Vibrant Atmosphere: ODI and T20 matches regularly attract 20,000+ fans, with electric support for Pakistan and Lahore Qalandars.
- Test Matches: Usually lower attendance (1,000–5,000), but die-hard fans create an intimate, passionate setting.
- Facilities:
- Modern floodlights for day-night matches.
- Food courts, souvenir shops, boutiques, and enclosed seating.
- Easy accessibility from major city centers.
- Unique Vibe: Fans get a mix of cultural architecture, modern cricketing facilities, and patriotic passion unmatched in Pakistan.
