Mangaluru: Educational institutions in Mangaluru that do not have dedicated sports grounds are likely to face inconvenience as Mangala Stadium, a key venue for school and college sports events, will be closed for nearly two months starting January 15, 2026. The temporary closure is due to a proposed upgrade of the stadium’s facilities, including renovation of its synthetic track.

Mangala Stadium is widely used by schools and colleges across the city, especially those lacking adequate sports infrastructure of their own. With the stadium set to undergo a makeover, several institutions will now be forced to look for alternative venues to conduct their annual sports meets and athletic events.

Stadium upgrade proposal underway

Pradeep D’Souza, Assistant Director of the District of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Dakshina Kannada, told The Times of India that a proposal has been prepared to upgrade the existing facilities at Mangala Stadium. The focus of the renovation will be on improving the synthetic track, which is extensively used for athletic competitions.

“Experts visited the stadium, conducted a detailed inspection, and gave the go-ahead for the makeover. Funds have already been allocated for the project, and we are now awaiting the final green signal from the state-level authorities,” D’Souza said.

According to officials, once approval is received, the work is expected to commence in the second week of January 2026. In anticipation of the renovation, the authorities have already stopped renting out the stadium to colleges and other organisations.

Closure to affect colleges more than schools

D’Souza pointed out that many schools in the city have already completed their annual sports meets, which may limit the immediate impact on them. However, colleges generally organise their sports events later in the academic year and are likely to be more affected by the closure.

“Now colleges will be organising their sports meets, and they will have to find alternative locations to host their events,” he said.

He added that while there are several other grounds available in and around Mangaluru, not all of them offer facilities comparable to Mangala Stadium.

Alternative venues suggested

Officials have suggested a few alternative venues that institutions can consider during the closure period. These include the DK Police Ground, University College Grounds, Panambur Grounds, Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, and the Mangalore University Sports Grounds at Konaje.

While the DK Police Ground and University College Grounds are located close to the city, D’Souza noted that they do not have extensive facilities such as a synthetic track or seating arrangements similar to Mangala Stadium. Venues outside the city, though larger in some cases, may pose logistical challenges for students and organisers.

Colleges express concern

Several educational institutions that depend heavily on Mangala Stadium have expressed concern over the temporary closure. Dr P Dayananda Pai–P Satisha Government First Grade College, Carstreet, Mangaluru, is among the colleges that regularly use the stadium for student sports activities.

Principal Jayakar Bhandary said the institution hopes the renovation work will be completed within the stipulated timeframe. “We expect the work to be completed at the earliest. If there is a delay, we will have no option but to look for other venues to host sports day for our students,” he said.

He added that conducting sports events at alternative locations could involve additional costs and logistical planning, especially when transporting students and equipment.

Importance of Mangala Stadium for city institutions

Mangala Stadium has long served as a central sports hub for Mangaluru, hosting inter-school and inter-collegiate competitions, athletic meets, and training sessions. For many institutions, especially those located in congested parts of the city, the stadium is the only viable option for organising large-scale sports events.

Officials from the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports have maintained that the upgrade is necessary to improve safety standards and ensure that the stadium meets modern requirements.

Conclusion

While the temporary closure of Mangala Stadium from January 15, 2026, is expected to inconvenience several educational institutions, authorities say the renovation will result in better facilities in the long run. Colleges, in particular, will need to make interim arrangements for their sports events until the stadium reopens, even as they hope for timely completion of the upgrade work.