Sports is an important part of the culture of Odisha and hence it plays a key role in development of the state. Field hockey, athletics, tennis, rugby union, rugby sevens, association football and cricket is the most popular sports in the Indian state of Odisha.It is also called as 'Sports Capital'.The Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar hosted the 2018 Men's Hockey World Cup from 28 November to 16 December 2018.