ICC Moves 2025 Women’s World Cup to Navi Mumbai, Adds Colombo Hub

When International Cricket Council announced the final venues for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup on 12 June 2025, it confirmed a shift from Bengaluru to the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The change came just a month after the ICC’s initial venue list, and it means the tournament will now span four Indian cities – Navi Mumbai, Guwahati, Indore and Visakhapatnam – plus a central hub in Colombo, Sri Lanka. All 31 matches are set to start on 30 September 2025 and run through 2 November 2025, with a semi‑final already locked in at the DY Patil Stadium.

Venue Shuffle: Why Bengaluru Lost Out

Originally, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had put forward five Indian venues, betting on favourable weather and solid transport links. But the ICC had to factor in a geopolitical twist: Pakistan’s qualification meant its matches could not be staged on Indian soil. As a workaround, the council decided to keep Pakistan’s games at a neutral venue – and that neutral ground turned out to be Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium. With Colombo now slated for 11‑13 matches, the ICC felt a stronger Indian venue was needed for the knockout phase, and the DY Patil Stadium, with its 45,300‑seat capacity and modern floodlights, fit the bill.

“The decision was driven by a combination of logistics, weather patterns and the need to respect the sensitivities surrounding India‑Pakistan cricket relations,” said Geoff Allardice, ICC CEO, at a press conference in Dubai. “Navi Mumbai offers world‑class facilities and is well‑connected, making it the ideal alternative to Bengaluru.”

Other venues stayed put: Guwahati’s Assam Cricket Association Stadium (46,000 seats), Indore’s Holkar Stadium (30,000 seats) and Visakhapatnam’s ACA‑VDCA Cricket Stadium (27,500 seats) each received a block of 4‑5 matches, ensuring a balanced spread of games across the subcontinent.

Schedule, Format and the Semi‑Final Mystery

The tournament will follow a round‑robin format, with each of the ten teams playing nine matches. The top four will advance to the knock‑out stage. The ICC has pencilled in the first semi‑final for 29 October 2025 at the DY Patil Stadium. The second semi‑final and the final, however, remain conditional – if Pakistan reaches the last‑four, the ICC may move those matches to Colombo to keep a neutral setting. That flexibility underscores how the council is still navigating cricket’s most delicate diplomatic dance.

• Opening match: 30 September, India vs Australia, 3:00 PM IST
• Semi‑final 1: 29 October, DY Patil Stadium, 3:00 PM IST
• Semi‑final 2: 30 October, venue TBD (likely Colombo)
• Final: 2 November, venue TBD (likely Colombo)
• Total matches: 31 over 34 days

The only deviation from the standard 3:00 PM IST kick‑off is the New Zealand vs England clash on 26 October, slated for 11:00 AM IST to accommodate European audiences.

Broadcast Rights, Prize Money and Commercial Impact

For the first time, the prize pool has swelled to US$ 13.88 million – almost four times the amount offered in 2022. The jackpot will be split among the champions, runners‑up and the remaining participants, a move the ICC hopes will spur further investment in women’s cricket.

Broadcast partners span the globe: India’s JioStar network and JioHotstar app will stream every match domestically; Sky Sports takes the UK and Ireland; Amazon Prime Video secures Australia; Sky TV covers New Zealand; Pakistan’s PTV and Ten Sports will relay matches; Maharaja TV handles Sri Lankan audiences; and Willow TV streams to North America. “We’re seeing unprecedented commercial interest in the women’s game,” noted Roger Binny, BCCI President, during a recent interview. “The revenue model is finally aligning with the on‑field talent.”

Milestones: All‑Female Match Officials

Perhaps the most historic aspect of the 2025 edition is the all‑female officiating crew. The ICC has appointed 12 umpires and 9 match referees, all women, marking a major step toward gender parity in cricket governance. “These officials have trained alongside the men for years; now they get the spotlight they deserve,” said veteran umpire Ushma Singh, who will stand in the opening game.

Statistical analysis shows women’s ODI scores have surged since the 2022 World Cup. Teams have posted 34 innings of 300 + runs collectively, up from 44 such scores before 2022. Australia and India each notched a 400‑plus total, highlighting the growing firepower on the women’s side.

What This Means for Fans and Host Nations

Fans in India will enjoy the convenience of four venues spread across the country, each offering a slice of local culture – from Goa‑inspired beachfront vibes in Visakhapatnam to the tea‑leaf aromas of Guwahati’s markets. Meanwhile, Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium will welcome a record influx of international fans, giving Sri Lanka its first taste of hosting a Women’s World Cup final.

Economically, the tournament is projected to generate roughly US$ 200 million in direct and indirect spending across the host cities, according to a study commissioned by the ICC. Hotels, airlines and local vendors are all set to reap the benefits, especially in Navi Mumbai, where the DY Patil Stadium’s modern amenities promise a smooth fan experience.

From a sporting perspective, the stage is set for a showdown between powerhouses like Australia, England and the host nation India, while emerging sides such as Bangladesh and Ireland will hope to cause an upset. Whatever the outcomes, the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup looks poised to be a watershed moment for the sport.