Quick answer
Colombo's cricket grounds can be seen in one day by tuk-tuk or car: start at the R Premadasa Stadium in Maligawatte, continue to the P Sara Oval in Borella, then walk the Cinnamon Gardens clubs, the SSC, the Nondescripts, the Colombo Cricket Club and Bloomfield, with the Racecourse nearby. Add the National Museum and finish at Galle Face Green. Most grounds are seen from the gate unless a match is on.
Key takeaways
- Three international grounds and several historic clubs fit in one day.
- Start at the Premadasa, then the P Sara Oval, then Cinnamon Gardens.
- The Cinnamon Gardens clubs can be walked in an hour or two.
- Add the National Museum and the Racecourse grandstand.
- Finish at Galle Face Green for sunset.
Morning: the Premadasa
Start early at the R Premadasa Stadium in Maligawatte, north of the centre, before the traffic builds. The concrete bowl, Sri Lanka's largest ground, can be seen from the surrounding roads, and the neighbourhood, with its markets and temples, is a slice of working Colombo.
If you have time, walk or ride through the edge of Pettah, with its bustling markets, mosques and the red-and-white Jami Ul-Alfar mosque, before heading on.
Allow about an hour for the Premadasa and its surroundings, more if you explore Pettah.
- →Start: early, before traffic.
- →See: the stadium from outside.
- →Nearby: Pettah's markets.
Late morning: the P Sara Oval
From Maligawatte, a tuk-tuk takes about 15 to 25 minutes to Borella and the P Sara Oval, home of the Tamil Union club and the ground where Sri Lanka played its first Test in 1982.
The Oval is enclosed, so you may only see it from the gate, but it is worth the stop for its history. Borella junction has short-eats shops for a quick snack.
From Borella, Cinnamon Gardens is a short ride west.
Midday: the Cinnamon Gardens clubs
Cinnamon Gardens holds the densest cluster of cricket grounds in Sri Lanka. The SSC and the Nondescripts Cricket Club sit side by side on Maitland Place, the Colombo Cricket Club is on Maitland Crescent and Bloomfield is on Reid Avenue, all within a short walk.
Walk between them on the leafy streets, stopping at each gate. The Colombo Racecourse, with its restored colonial grandstand, is close to Bloomfield and has cafes for lunch.
Allow two hours for the clubs and lunch at the Racecourse or the Arcade at Independence Square.
The streets of Cinnamon Gardens are among the most pleasant in Colombo to walk, with shade trees, grand old houses and little traffic outside rush hour. On a weekend morning, you may hear the sound of a club or school match drifting over the walls, and gates are more likely to be open.
- →SSC and NCC: Maitland Place.
- →CCC: Maitland Crescent.
- →Bloomfield and the Racecourse: Reid Avenue.
Afternoon: the museum and the park
The National Museum, a short walk from the clubs, holds the island's finest collection of art and artefacts, from ancient sculptures to the regalia of the Kandyan kings. Viharamahadevi Park, opposite, is a shady place for a rest.
Independence Memorial Hall and the Arcade are close by, with cafes and shops in restored colonial buildings.
Lankan Stays & Trails can arrange a driver or tuk-tuk for the day, with a guide who knows the grounds if you want the stories at each stop.
- →National Museum: the island's best collection.
- →Viharamahadevi Park: shade and rest.
- →The Arcade: cafes and shops.
Evening: Galle Face Green
Finish the day at Galle Face Green, the seafront promenade, where families fly kites, vendors sell street food and the sun sets over the Indian Ocean. Children and adults often play informal cricket on the green.
For dinner, the Galle Face area and Kollupitiya have restaurants of every kind, from street-food stalls to hotel dining rooms.
If a match is on at the Premadasa that evening, you can finish there instead, under the lights.
- →Sunset: over the ocean.
- →Street food: on the green.
- →Informal cricket: often under way.
Tips for the day
A tuk-tuk or car with a driver is the easiest way to link the grounds, with walking in Cinnamon Gardens. Agree a fare in advance or use a metered or app-based tuk-tuk.
Most grounds are private or enclosed, so you may only see them from the gate. On domestic match days, entry is often free, and the day becomes far richer. Check Sri Lanka Cricket's domestic schedule.
Bring water, a hat and sunscreen, and dress modestly for temples and mosques along the way.
- →Transport: tuk-tuk or car.
- →Check for domestic matches.
- →Bring water and a hat.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see all of Colombo's cricket grounds in one day?
Yes. The Premadasa, the P Sara Oval, the SSC and the Cinnamon Gardens clubs, the NCC, the Colombo Cricket Club and Bloomfield, can all be seen in one day by tuk-tuk or car, with walking in Cinnamon Gardens. Most are seen from the gate unless a match is on.
How far apart are Colombo's cricket grounds?
The Premadasa is about 15 to 25 minutes by tuk-tuk from Borella, and Borella about 10 to 15 minutes from Cinnamon Gardens. The SSC, NCC, CCC and Bloomfield are within a short walk of one another. Traffic can lengthen these times.
Can I go inside the grounds?
Most grounds are private clubs or enclosed stadiums, so entry outside match days is at the owners' discretion. Ask politely at the gate. On domestic match days, entry is often free or cheap, which makes the day much richer.
Where should I have lunch on the route?
The Colombo Racecourse's restored grandstand and the Arcade at Independence Square both have cafes and restaurants close to the Cinnamon Gardens clubs. Borella junction has cheaper short-eats shops and rice and curry places.
Is there a cricket museum in Colombo?
There is no major public cricket museum in Colombo that visitors can count on, though some clubs display memorabilia in their pavilions. Check locally for current exhibitions. The National Museum, near the clubs, covers the island's wider history.
What is the best time to do the route?
Start early, before the traffic and heat build, and finish at Galle Face Green for sunset. Weekdays are quieter in Cinnamon Gardens, while weekends may bring club and school matches. Check for domestic fixtures before you go.
Can I combine the route with a match?
Yes. If a Test is on at the SSC or P Sara Oval, spend a session there and see the other grounds before or after. If a night match is on at the Premadasa, follow the route in reverse and finish under the lights.