Chennai Advances Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Project
Chennai is moving closer to establishing a large, integrated sports and training district along the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) corridor, with the State government initiating the tender process for a Global Sports City at Semmencheri. The project signals a strategic push to combine sports infrastructure, urban planning and community access within one of the city’s fastest-growing development zones.
Planned across a total land parcel of 127 acres, the sports city will be developed in phases, with the first phase covering approximately 83 acres adjacent to an established higher education campus. Officials involved in the planning process indicate that the initiative is designed to address long-standing gaps in high-performance training infrastructure while also creating publicly accessible sporting spaces within the metropolitan region.
The project is being taken forward through the metropolitan planning authority in coordination with the state’s sports development agency, and Phase I will be executed under an engineering, procurement and construction framework. Urban planners say this approach is intended to ensure faster delivery while maintaining design consistency across future phases.
Phase I has been conceived as a self-contained “learn and live” sports district. It integrates athlete training zones with residential, administrative and support infrastructure, enabling year-round use without heavy dependence on external facilities. The layout prioritises pedestrian movement, internal green corridors and low-emission mobility, reflecting a growing emphasis on climate-responsive urban campuses.
The first phase will host a diverse mix of outdoor sports infrastructure, including water-based training facilities, cycling and skating tracks, shooting and archery ranges, racket sports courts and a compact motorsport circuit. These will be complemented by spectator amenities and internal circulation networks planned to manage crowd movement during competitions.
Indoor infrastructure will include a multi-sport arena accommodating disciplines such as badminton, squash, table tennis, combat sports and strength training. A dedicated high-performance centre is also planned, bringing together sports science, recovery and analytics functions to support elite athlete development. Dormitories, administrative buildings, parking and landscaped open spaces will complete the core campus.
Industry observers note that the Global Sports City could have broader economic and spatial impacts beyond sports alone. Large-scale sports infrastructure often acts as a catalyst for surrounding real estate, hospitality and transport investments, particularly along growth corridors such as OMR. If integrated effectively, the project could also support employment generation across coaching, facility management and event operations.
Looking ahead, subsequent phases are expected to add competition-ready venues and international-standard facilities capable of hosting global sporting events. The challenge, urban experts caution, will lie in balancing elite infrastructure with inclusive public access and long-term operational sustainability. As tenders move forward, execution quality and environmental sensitivity will be critical in shaping whether the project becomes a lasting civic asset for Chennai.
