The 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup starts on September 30, but logistical bottlenecks are threatening to dampen what should be a landmark edition. Scheduled till November 2, the competition at the moment is grappling with eleventh-hour venue changes and ticketing delays, leaving both players and fans in confusion.
Bengaluru Makes Way for Navi Mumbai
While was originally among the host venues, local authorities withheld clearance prompted by the Justice D’Cunha Commission report that declared Bengaluru to be “fundamentally unsafe”, citing the fatal stampede during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory parade in June earlier this year. Instead, the ICC has now confirmed that Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium will take Bengaluru’s place.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah said in an official statement:
“At the ICC, we remain open to new ideas and are constantly exploring ways to sustain the upward momentum of women’s cricket. Conversations like today’s panel discussion are invaluable in shaping our collective vision and driving progress… I extend my best wishes to all participating teams as they gear up for the challenge. I am confident they will have an unforgettable experience in India and Sri Lanka.”
The new venue will play host to three league fixtures, including India’s matches vs. New Zealand (October 23) and Bangladesh (October 26). The ground has also been chosen for the second semi-final on October 30 and could also potentially be the stage for the final on November 2.
Revised Schedule Announced
The opener of the World Cup’s 13th edition will now see India take on Sri Lanka at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on September 30. Other fixtures have also been adjusted, like NZ vs. BAN on October 10 (from Visakhapatnam to Guwahati), SL vs. BAN on October 20 (from Colombo to Navi Mumbai), and ENG vs. NZ on October 26 (from Guwahati to Visakhapatnam).
The first semi-final will be played on October 29, but the venue has yet to be chosen, while the second is fixed on October 30 at the DY Patil.
Colombo Retains Pakistan’s Matches
As expected, Pakistan will play all its matches in Colombo, and that remains unchanged. This development followed the ICC’s earlier decision to allocate a neutral venue for Pakistan’s fixtures, considering the ongoing political tensions. If the women in green go to the final, that too would be held in Colombo.
Ticketing Delays Lead to Frustration
Venues seem to have been finally confirmed, but ticket sales haven’t yet opened. This is causing widespread confusion among fans, especially supporters coming in from abroad. Many have already booked flights and hotels, but there’s uncertainty looming large over whether they’d secure entry into the stadiums.
Speaking to The Guardian, some fans described the process as a “nightmare”, with a few even mulling calling off their trips. Pundits have warned that seats might go empty for non-India matches if sales open too late, which could potentially rob the tournament of its sheen.
Travel Woes for Teams, Headaches for Fans
For teams except Pakistan, the revised schedule means additional travel across Guwahati, Indore, Visakhapatnam, and Navi Mumbai. However, beyond cricketers, this change has also forced fans to recalculate their budgets and schedules.
A competition as big as the World Cup is more than just an event; it is an experience, a spectacle that should be both comfortable and easy. And that’s precisely why some travelling fans are choosing to combine their match tickets with online betting to make the most of their stay. For instance, the has garnered traction among cricket fans looking for off-field engagement.
Tick Tock to September 30
Despite the unwanted delays, anticipation runs high. The DY Patil Stadium is no fresher; it has hosted Women’s Premier League matches, so it’s expected to manage swelling crowds well.
That said, the next few weeks will be crucial. To restore confidence among supporters, the ICC must move quickly to open ticket sale windows, as that will ensure the tournament comes under the spotlight for all the right reasons, and not organisational chaos.
