While Meghalaya is already well known for its living root bridges, stunning waterfalls, and mist-covered hills, it is also steadily emerging as a hub for football and sports tourism. The new Mawkhanu Football Stadium is a great reason for travelers who want to do more than just see the standard sightseeing while visiting the state.
Planned as a 40,000-capacity, football-only stadium, it is being built in Mawkhanu village, about 30 km from Shillong. Announced in the Meghalaya Budget 2025–26 with an allocation of ₹732 crore, its construction began in December 2025 after the foundation stone was laid by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. Collage Design Pvt. Ltd. designed the stadium, which will have a natural grass pitch, training areas, and modern facilities that meet FIFA and AFC standards.
The stadium complex will have more than just games. It will also have a gym, a swimming pool, and tennis courts, which will make Meghalaya more appealing to tourists. Expected to be completed between 2027 and 2028, it is set to become a key highlight for sports lovers planning a Meghalaya tour.
Mawkhanu Football Stadium is being built in Mawkhanu, within New Shillong in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, India. It sits near Shillong, the state capital region, and is part of a larger sports and tourism push to develop the area as a major football hub.
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- Mawkhanu Football Stadium Capacity: Approximately 40,000 spectators, making it one of the largest football-specific stadiums in the country.
- Status: Under construction, with the foundation laid in December 2025.
- Mawkhanu Football Stadium Completion Date: The stadium is expected to be completed between 2027 and 2028, subject to construction progress and project timelines.
- Cost and Development: Estimated project cost of around ₹732 crore, developed by the Government of Meghalaya as part of a major sports infrastructure initiative.
- Design: A football-specific stadium designed to meet FIFA and AFC standards, featuring a natural grass pitch and modern spectator facilities suitable for international matches.
- Facilities: Planned as a comprehensive sports complex with training areas and associated indoor facilities such as a swimming pool, tennis courts, gymnasium, squash courts, restaurants, and open public spaces.
- Goal: To become India’s largest state-of-the-art football-specific venue and position Meghalaya as a major destination for football and sports tourism.
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- Football-Specific Design: The stadium is being developed as a dedicated football venue, designed exclusively for the sport rather than as a multi-purpose ground.
- Standards and Compliance: The design follows FIFA and AFC norms, ensuring suitability for national and international football matches.
- Architectural Firm: The architectural planning and design work for the stadium has been attributed to Collage Design Pvt. Ltd.
- Playing Surface: The stadium will have a natural grass football field that meets international standards for playing.
- Training Facilities: The complex will have dedicated training areas for professional teams, academies, and getting ready for matches.
- Additional Infrastructure: The overall stadium complex is planned to include supporting sports and infrastructure facilities aimed at athlete development, event operations, and spectator convenience.
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The goal of the Mawkhanu Football Stadium project is to transform Meghalaya into the football hub of India. Aiming to be a world-class venue, the stadium is expected to carry the local football culture forward by hosting competitions of various levels, including local, national, and international.
More Opportunities for Budding Players: Moreover, the new facilities and training infrastructure are expected to have a positive impact on the football culture of the area locals and open up more opportunities to young players.
More Influx of Sports Tourism: The stadium is important for more than just sports; it's also important for the community and tourism. It will likely bring in sports fans, tourists, and events, which will be good for the area's businesses and tourism.
Opportunity to Organize Major Football Events: The stadium can become a landmark for the state and help put Meghalaya on the national map for sports and entertainment by hosting big tournaments, concerts, and cultural events.
Overall, Mawkhanu Football Stadium is a big investment in the future of football and sports infrastructure in Northeast India. It could inspire a new generation of athletes and make Meghalaya a bigger part of Indian sports.
Current Status and Expected Completion
Construction of Mawkhanu Football Stadium began after the foundation was laid in December 2025 and is currently in progress as part of the state’s major sports infrastructure initiative.
The expected completion date for the Mawkhanu football stadium is between 2027 and 2028. Weather, logistics, and other things that affect development could change the date of the final completion.
Once completed, the stadium will rank among India's premier football venues and become a significant sports landmark in Meghalaya.
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The Mawkhanu Football Stadium is under construction in Mawkhanu, New Shillong, located approximately 30 km from Shillong city center. Public transport options to the area are limited, so the most practical way to reach the stadium is by personal vehicle or hired transport. Here’s how to reach Mawkhanu Football Stadium:
By Air
Shillong Airport (Umroi Airport) is the closest airport to Shillong city. It is about 35 km away. You can take a taxi from the airport to Mawkhanu. The Guwahati airport, which is about 104 km from Shillong, has more flights to major Indian cities.
By Rail
Meghalaya doesn't have any railroads. Guwahati Railway Station (GHY) in Assam is the closest big train station to Shillong. It is about 104 km away. You can take a taxi or shared taxi from Guwahati to Shillong (about three hours) and then on to the Mawkhanu football stadium.
By Car
- Mawkhanu lies in the New Shillong area, close to the Shillong Bypass road, and can be conveniently reached from Shillong by taxi or private car.
- From Guwahati, take NH6 to Shillong and then the Shillong Bypass road to Mawkhanu. The distance by road between New Delhi and Mawkhanu is about 2,050 km.
Parking
The stadium complex is planned with a large parking area, making driving a convenient option.
No, tourists can't go to the Mawkhanu Football Stadium right now because it isn't finished yet. The project should be finished by 2027, which is when the 39th National Games will be held.
The complex is planned as a multi-purpose space that can be used for different activities. Some areas may be open to the public during events or at certain times. It will include a clubhouse, gym, swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, snooker rooms, and restaurants. These facilities could make it an enjoyable place for both locals and tourists in the future.
The Mawkhanu Football Stadium is going to be one of the most exciting things to happen in Indian football. It establishes Meghalaya as a new football stadium in India. The Mawkhanu football stadium can hold about 40,000 people, so it will be able to host big games and events in the future. Once completed, it will attract not only football enthusiasts but also tourists eager to witness the transformation of India's sports facilities.
