Lifestyle

Chepauk Stadium Chennai: Tickets, Rules and Getting There

The BBL opener and an India v Australia Test are coming to Chepauk. How to buy tickets, what you can carry, and the best way to get there.

19 October 2026

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Chepauk has two big fixtures coming up. On 12 December 2026 the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium hosts the opening match of Australia’s Big Bash League season, Melbourne Renegades against Perth Scorchers, the first BBL game ever played outside Australia. Then from 29 January to 2 February 2027 it stages the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia, according to the BCCI’s home-season fixtures, with play scheduled to start at 9.30 am.

Tickets for the BBL game went on sale on 10 October 2026 through the District app and website, and the first allocation sold out quickly. Ticket details for the Test had not been announced by mid-October. Here is how to get a seat, what you can carry in, and how to reach the ground without getting stuck in Triplicane traffic.

A short history of the ground

The stadium dates to 1916, which makes it India’s second-oldest cricket stadium after Eden Gardens, the ICC notes. It hosted its first Test on 10 February 1934, saw India’s first Test victory against England in 1952, and staged the tied Test between India and Australia in 1986, only the second tie in Test history. It was once the Madras Cricket Club ground and is now named after M. A. Chidambaram, a former president of the BCCI and of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA), which runs the venue. It is home to the Tamil Nadu Ranji side and Chennai Super Kings. After its rebuilt stands replaced temporary seating, capacity is roughly 40,000, according to Wisden.

Tickets: what to know

BBL opener, 12 December: Sold through District by Zomato. The Hans India reported that only a first release was offered on 10 October, with more promised later. The match counts as a Renegades home game and is due to start at 2.40 pm IST, CricTracker reported.
India v Australia Test, 29 January to 2 February: Sales are usually handled by the state association and its ticketing partner a few weeks ahead. Watch TNCA and BCCI announcements.
Buy only from the named official platform. Resold tickets on social media are a common scam, and a ticket with a tampered barcode will not get you in.
One ticket per person. At IPL games children aged two and above need their own ticket; expect similar rules.
Check the stand and gate printed on the ticket. Gates differ for each stand and walking round the ground takes time.

What you can and cannot carry

Each organiser publishes its own list, so read the conditions printed with your ticket. Chepauk has traditionally been strict. Lists issued for past matches have barred:

outside food and drink, water bottles, flasks and cans;
bags, laptops, cameras, binoculars and musical instruments;
crackers, lighters, cigarettes and anything flammable;
knives, scissors, glass and other sharp objects;
banners and flags with commercial logos that clash with sponsors.

Mobile phones have generally been allowed in recent seasons, but carry as little as you can. Smoking and alcohol are not permitted, and re-entry is not allowed once you leave. A cap, sunscreen and cash or UPI for food inside are worth having, particularly for a day of Test cricket.

Getting there

The ground sits between Wallajah Road, Bells Road and the Marina. Two rail options are within walking distance: Chepauk MRTS station and Government Estate metro station on the Blue Line. For IPL 2025, CSK tied up with Chennai Metro Rail so that match ticket holders could travel by metro at no extra cost, UNI reported. Whether a similar offer applies to the BBL game or the Test is up to the organisers, so check before you travel.

Greater Chennai Traffic Police issue diversions for big matches. For one IPL game in 2025, IANS reported that:

private cars were directed to park along the Marina service road, with spectators walking to the ground through subways;
taxis and autos could drop passengers via Anna Salai and Wallajah Road and then park on Swamy Sivananda Salai;
MTC and mini buses were kept off Wallajah Road and used Sivananda Salai instead;
pedestrians could approach via Press Club Road.

Expect a version of this on match days. Leave early, especially for the 2.40 pm BBL start on a Saturday.

Quick answers

What matches are at Chepauk this season?

The BBL opener on 12 December 2026 and the India v Australia second Test from 29 January to 2 February 2027.

Where can I buy BBL tickets for Chennai?

On the District by Zomato platform, which began sales on 10 October 2026.

Which station is nearest to Chepauk stadium?

Chepauk MRTS station and Government Estate metro station.

Can I take water into the stadium?

Outside bottles and food have been barred at past matches. Check the conditions on your ticket.

Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.