India’s growing demand for world-class live events

India is quickly becoming a popular choice for large live entertainment events. International music tours and major cultural shows are drawing larger crowds, and cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Shillong are now regular stops on global tour schedules, attracting both local and international audiences. 

A variety of factors fuel this demand; India’s young population and growing middle class want to spend on live events. Major international concerts often attract crowds of 20,000 to 60,000, creating a significant economic ripple effect for the host city, with hotels filling, flights quickly booked, and local businesses thriving. 

However, as demand increases, venues face a key operational challenge: how can they host these events without damaging playing surfaces not designed for constant, heavy use? 

The challenge of hosting concerts in sports stadiums 

Many of India’s largest stadiums were designed for cricket and rely on meticulously maintained pitches that meet the strict standards of professional cricket.  

Although these venues provide the space and infrastructure for large-scale concerts, the turf requires careful protection to make them possible. 

Heavy equipment, vehicles and thousands of fans put strain on the stadium turf, and without protection, this can harm the soil and grass. Repairing or replacing damaged turf can take weeks, not only costing time and money but potentially affecting scheduled matches.  

As live events become more popular in India, stadiums are expected to become multi-purpose venues capable of hosting both sports and entertainment, but this isn’t possible without reliable turf protection.  

The benefits of becoming a multi-use venue are too important to overlook: large events bring new audiences, boost the local economy, and the additional income from non-sporting events can support the venue’s long-term sustainability by helping subsidise the high costs of maintenance. 

How turf protection enables stadium flexibility 

Terraplas turf protection systems allow venues to host concerts, exhibitions and large-scale productions while protecting and preserving the surface beneath. 

The system uses interlocking modular panels that cover the pitch, creating a stable surface for stages, equipment, and crowds by evenly distributing weight. 

In natural grass stadiums, grass health can still be maintained and nourished even when covered for long periods. Terraplas’ special design features a moisture canopy that draws humidity from the ground. Once the moisture has condensed, the water is returned to the turf.  

Reliable turf protection delivers flexibility, allowing stadiums to quickly transform into concert venues and efficiently remove the system so the field can be prepared for the next sports match. 

This ability to switch between sports and entertainment, while ensuring the turf is properly protected, helps venues make the most of their space year-round and keeps the field in top shape for professional games. 

Proven performance at major international venues 

Major multi-purpose venues such as Wembley Stadium and Dubai International Stadium regularly protect their playing surfaces with Terraplas to host concerts for global artists while continuing to stage elite sports fixtures. 

Tony Hemming, Head Curator at Dubai International Stadium and the ICC Academy, has extensive experience with the system and points out how it supports venue operations. 

“We have used Terraplas at Dubai International Stadium for over five years across a range of major events, including concerts by Shah Rukh Khan, AR Rahman and Salman Khan, while continuing to host international cricket fixtures. The system has protected over 17,000m² of playing surface, even with matches scheduled shortly after events. 

My experience with Terraplas spans more than 20 years, including at Melbourne Cricket Club and Etihad Stadium. I would always choose to protect the turf with Terraplas rather than risk damage to the playing surface.” 

In one case, a full stadium concert took place just seven days before a One Day International cricket match. This shows how turf protection systems help stadiums quickly adapt to host a range of events whilst maintaining high standards for top-level sports. 

Supporting the future of India’s stadium events market 

As more international tours are booked and local shows grow, demand for high-quality multi-use stadiums is expected to rise over the next few years.  

Platforms such as BookMyShow help drive this growth by connecting millions of fans to events and supporting India’s entertainment industry. They have also become valued Terraplas customers, purchasing their own full system to ensure artists can perform at various stadiums across India. 

This includes Travis Scott’s Circus Maximus tour concerts at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi, which drew over 125,000 people across two nights.  

Digital reach also highlights the scale and economic potential of large events in India. Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres concert in Ahmedabad was streamed live on Disney+ Hotstar, attracting around 8.3 million viewers and generating more than 165 million minutes of watch time. 

With experience from major events worldwide, Terraplas can provide venues across India with peace of mind that their surfaces will be protected and preserved, enabling more events, boosting revenue and keeping the playing surface in good condition. 

“We at TransStadia have been using Terraplas Turf Protector for some time now, and it has vastly increased the opportunities for us to host non-sports events and shows. Terraplas is designed to protect the field of play while enabling more efficient use of a sports venue, thereby augmenting revenues. It’s simple and smart to use.” 

Terraplas works with a network of trusted partners to support stadiums and event organisers in key global markets. In India and the wider South Asian region, Great Sports Tech acts as a regional partner and supplier of Terraplas systems, helping venues access industry-leading turf protection solutions and supporting the continued growth of large-scale live events.