Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, locally known as Kaloor Stadium, is a multi-purpose international stadium in Kochi, Kerala. The stadium has a capacity of 60,500 spectators. For Indian Super League matches it is restricted to 39,000 as only lower and middle tiers of the stadium are rented out for the matches. The building of a world-class international sports stadium in Kerala was sanctioned by the government of the late Chief minister of Kerala, K. Karunakaran. The stadium was completed ahead of schedule in 1996 by the Greater Cochin Development Authority led by V. Joseph Thomas IPS. The stadium is widely touted to be one of the noisiest football stadiums in the world due to its distinctive architecture.
The stadium has played host to a number of international cricket and football matches but after 2014 it didn't hold any cricket match due to ISL. The extensive grounds of the stadium serve as venue for important exhibitions, cinema events and political rallies in the city. The most innovative aspect of the stadium is its unique lighting towers of 2 kW Floodlights which when switched on fully can provide lighting levels for HD telecast. The Structure of the tower is itself one of a kind in India.Greater Cochin Development Authority leased out the Jawaharlal Nehru International stadium at Kaloor to the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) for a period of 30 years.
The stadium acts as the home ground for teams including Kerala cricket team, Kerala Blasters FC (Indian Super League). Stadium holds the privilege of having the fifth loudest crowd (128 db) in the world, during ISL 2016 final match where Kerala Blasters played against Atletico de Kolkata.
Kochi was one of the six host cities for 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup held in India. As of 19 August 2017, the stadium has hosted 10 ODIs.