Gujarat’s ambitious financial hub, GIFT City, is set to broaden its urban vision with plans to develop a large public sports arena, marking a significant expansion beyond its core identity as an international finance and technology centre. The move reflects a growing focus on lifestyle infrastructure aimed at making GIFT City a truly integrated “live-work-play” destination rather than just a business district.
According to officials familiar with the development, the proposed public sports arena will be designed to host multiple indoor and outdoor sporting activities. Facilities under consideration include multi-purpose courts, fitness and training zones, spaces for community sports leagues, and infrastructure capable of hosting regional and national-level tournaments. The arena is expected to cater not only to professionals working in GIFT City but also to residents from Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, and nearby areas.
Urban planners see this project as a strategic step to enhance the social ecosystem of GIFT City. While the hub has rapidly gained prominence for housing international banks, fintech firms, and global institutions, authorities have acknowledged the need for recreational and community-focused spaces. The sports arena is intended to address this gap, encouraging physical well-being, social interaction, and community engagement.
The project also aligns with Gujarat’s broader push to promote sports culture and youth development. Over the past few years, the state has invested heavily in sports infrastructure, from stadium upgrades to grassroots training programmes. By integrating a modern sports arena into GIFT City, the government aims to position the zone as a model smart city that balances economic ambition with quality of life.
From an economic perspective, the arena could create indirect benefits by boosting footfall, supporting local businesses, and opening opportunities for sports events, fitness startups, and wellness-focused enterprises. Hospitality and retail sectors within GIFT City are also expected to gain as sports tournaments and public events attract visitors from outside the region.
Sustainability is likely to play a key role in the project’s design. Sources indicate that planners are exploring energy-efficient construction, water conservation systems, and green building practices in line with GIFT City’s existing smart and sustainable framework. The arena may also incorporate smart technologies for crowd management, booking systems, and event operations.
While timelines and budgets are yet to be formally announced, the proposal has generated positive buzz among professionals and residents who see it as a sign that GIFT City is evolving into a more inclusive urban space. Once completed, the public sports arena could become a landmark facility, reinforcing GIFT City’s identity as not just a global financial gateway, but also a vibrant, people-centric city.
Overall, the expansion underscores a clear message: Gujarat’s flagship smart city is now playing a longer game one that blends finance, innovation, community, and healthy living into a single, forward-looking urban model.
