ICC Confirms 2025 Women’s World Cup Schedule: India & Sri Lanka to Host

Tournament Venues & Host Cities

Matches will be played across five venues in India and Sri Lanka:

• M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
   

• ACA Stadium, Guwahati
   

• Holkar Stadium, Indore
   

• ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam
   

• R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
   

This edition marks the return of the Women’s World Cup to India after 12 years, with a high-voltage opener featuring Team India in Bengaluru on September 30.

Key Fixtures: Semi-Finals & Final

The final dates and venues for the Semi-finals and Finals have been announced, but the matter to wonder about is the opening clash between India and TBC. The knockout stage of the tournament is scheduled as follows:

Captains Featuring in Women World Cup 2025

Pakistan to Play All Matches in Sri Lanka

In a significant development, Pakistan will play all their group-stage matches in Sri Lanka, following the "fusion formula" earlier agreed upon for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.

Under this arrangement, India and Pakistan will not travel to each other’s countries for ICC tournaments over the next three years. Instead, their matches will be played in neutral venues, with Sri Lanka acting as Pakistan’s base for this tournament.

Defending Champions & Title Contenders

Australia, the most successful team in Women’s World Cup history, enters as defending champions after their win over England in the 2022 edition held in New Zealand. With seven titles, Australia remains the team to beat.

Other strong contenders include India, backed by passionate home support, who will be eager to clinch their maiden Women’s World Cup title on familiar turf. England, as former champions, enter the tournament with a strong and experienced core, making them serious contenders once again. New Zealand and South Africa are known for their consistent performances in global tournaments and will be aiming to break through with a title win. Meanwhile, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh step in as dark horses, each capable of pulling off surprises and upsetting higher-ranked teams, adding to the tournament’s unpredictability and excitement.

Women’s Cricket on the Rise: What’s Next?

This tournament marks a significant milestone in the global growth of women's cricket, particularly in the subcontinent. By hosting the event across India and Sri Lanka, it is set to boost fan engagement in both cricket-loving nations, drawing greater attention to the women's game. The World Cup will also showcase emerging talent on a grand international stage, offering young players invaluable exposure. Moreover, it will strengthen the case for developing women's cricket leagues and structured pathways across Asia, paving the way for long-term growth and professional opportunities for female cricketers in the region.