Long known as one of India’s most important spiritual centres, Tirupati is now charting a very different trajectory. Beyond temples and pilgrimage tourism, the city is steadily emerging as a key node in Andhra Pradesh’s long-term sports infrastructure strategy.
At the heart of this shift lies an ambitious plan to build an integrated, international-standard sports ecosystem one that can nurture elite athletes, host major competitions, and redefine Tirupati’s urban identity .
The idea of a large-scale sports complex in Tirupati was first conceived as a 90-acre integrated facility near Surappakasam, with an estimated investment ranging between ₹300 crore and ₹360 crore. The project was structured under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and spearheaded by the Infrastructure Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (INCAP), a nodal agency created to fast-track large infrastructure projects.
The rationale was clear: Andhra Pradesh, despite its population and sporting talent, lacked concentrated, world-class training and competition venues that could consistently produce international-level athletes.
The proposed framework followed the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model. Under this structure, the private partner would take responsibility for designing, financing and operating the facility over a long concession period, while the government would provide land and trunk infrastructure. This approach aimed to combine public oversight with private efficiency, ensuring both quality and long-term financial sustainability.
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Technically, the original master plan was expansive. It envisioned a multi-sport outdoor and indoor complex built to global standards set by bodies such as FIFA, ICC and World Athletics. A dual-purpose cricket and football stadium formed the centrepiece, featuring a full-size international football pitch and a 160-metre cricket outfield, supported by high-mast lighting capable of broadcast-level illumination.
An athletics stadium with a 400-metre, eight-lane synthetic track, warm-up areas and full field-event facilities was also part of the blueprint, making the complex suitable for national championships and international meets.
Equally significant was the aquatic centre, designed with a 50-metre Olympic-standard pool, a separate warm-up pool and a diving pool with platforms up to 10 metres. Complementing these were tennis courts, volleyball and kabaddi grounds, a skating rink and jogging tracks, creating a truly multi-disciplinary sporting environment. Indoors, two large stadiums were planned one focused on badminton and court sports, and another catering to boxing, kabaddi, squash and strength training, all supported by high-capacity seating and climate control.
Financially, the project relied on more than just sporting revenues. Commercial and residential components such as a shopping arcade, clubhouse, guest houses and studio apartments were integrated into the plan to improve viability. These assets were intended to generate steady income streams through leases and memberships, offsetting the high operational costs of maintaining elite sporting facilities. The government also explored annuity-based support mechanisms to ensure predictable returns for private partners while keeping public access affordable.
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While the 90-acre blueprint laid the foundation, the project has evolved significantly by late 2025. Recognising the need for phased execution and quicker on-ground impact, the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet approved the allotment of a 28.37-acre parcel of land at Daminedu village in Tirupati Rural mandal. This marked a strategic pivot from a single, large-scale complex to a more focused “Sports City” hub that could be developed and activated faster.
Handed over to the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP), the Daminedu Sports City is envisioned as a high-performance nucleus for South India. The current plan includes a cricket stadium, athletics track, football and hockey grounds, a swimming complex, and extensive indoor training facilities. Crucially, it also incorporates hostels, coaching academies and sports science centres signalling a shift from event-centric infrastructure to a holistic athlete development ecosystem.
This evolution aligns with the state’s broader “Kreedandhra Pradesh” policy, which seeks to embed sports within Andhra Pradesh’s socio-economic framework. The policy includes job reservations for sportspersons and structured pathways from grassroots participation to elite competition. By concentrating infrastructure in Tirupati, the government aims to create a centralised talent hub that can serve both urban and rural athletes.
The Daminedu initiative is not developing in isolation. Parallel projects are strengthening Tirupati’s sporting ecosystem. At the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Tirupati, an international-standard athletics track is under construction, built to World Athletics norms and scheduled for completion in 2026. Meanwhile, the existing Sri Srinivasa Sports Complex is being upgraded with floodlights, synthetic flooring and modern equipment, ensuring functional, high-quality facilities are available even as the larger sports city takes shape.
Beyond sport, the impact of this transformation is expected to ripple across Tirupati’s economy. Large-scale construction and facility management will generate employment, with policy mandates favouring local hiring. The ability to host national and international tournaments is likely to boost hospitality, transport and allied services, complementing Tirupati’s already robust tourism sector. Over time, the presence of sports science centres and academies could also attract expertise in sports medicine, rehabilitation and coaching, adding a new knowledge-driven dimension to the city.
Perhaps most importantly, the Tirupati sports vision reflects a changing mindset. By investing in long-term, integrated infrastructure rather than isolated stadiums, Andhra Pradesh is acknowledging that elite sporting success is built on ecosystems, not standalone venues. Whether through the original 90-acre plan or the currently active 28-acre Daminedu hub, the objective remains consistent: to create a sustainable, world-class sports environment that can produce champions and serve the community.
As construction gathers pace and supporting facilities come online between 2026 and 2027, Tirupati stands on the cusp of a transformation that could redefine its identity.
From a city known primarily for faith and pilgrimage, it is steadily positioning itself as a serious contender on India’s sporting map a place where devotion and discipline coexist, and where the pursuit of excellence finds a new home.
