Sport in West Bengal is led by football and cricket, with a deep club culture and strong public following, especially in Kolkata.
## Football - West Bengal is one of India's great football regions. - Major Kolkata clubs include: - **Mohun Bagan Super Giant** - **East Bengal FC** - **Mohammedan Sporting Club** - The historic rivalry between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal is one of the biggest in Indian football. - **Salt Lake Stadium (Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan)** is one of India's largest football venues.
## Cricket - **Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB)** is based in Kolkata. - **Eden Gardens** is one of the world's most famous cricket grounds. - **Kolkata Knight Riders** in the Indian Premier League are strongly associated with the city and state. - Club and school cricket are widely played across districts.
## Other sports - Athletics, swimming, badminton, table tennis, chess, and volleyball are common. - Archery and boxing have some presence in different districts. - Traditional akhara-style physical culture and local tournaments remain part of community life.
## Racecourse and clubs - Kolkata has a historic horse-racing tradition centered on the **Royal Calcutta Turf Club**. - Old sports clubs and gymkhanas are woven into the social history of the metropolis.
## Stadiums and facilities - **Eden Gardens** - **Salt Lake Stadium** - **Netaji Indoor Stadium** - District stadiums and municipal grounds in Siliguri, Durgapur, Asansol, Kalyani, and elsewhere
## Community sports Neighborhood football fields, school grounds, puja tournament circuits, and district leagues play a major role in grassroots participation.