Women's World Cup matches moved out of Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium, Navi Mumbai to host semi-final, final

The ICC confirmed the updated schedule of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, set to kick off on September 30, with Guwahati set to host the tournament opener between hosts India and Sri Lanka, while Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Sports Stadium gets the knockouts - the semi-final and the final, if Pakistan don't qualify for the summit clash. The games have been moved out of Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which was scheduled to host as many as five matches in the tournament.

However, after the Bengaluru city Police denied permission to stage the games, citing the Justice (Retd.) Michael D’Cunha Commission report, which deemed the venue unfit for major events following the June 4 stampede outside the stadium. 11 died and several were left injured after thousands thronged the stadium to be part of the maiden IPL trophy victory celebrations for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). However, an event planned to celebrate the joy of winning the trophy after a wait of 18 years with the locals turned into a tragedy.

Bengaluru was scheduled to host the tournament opener on September 30 between hosts India and Sri Lanka, the October 3 clash between England and South Africa, the October 26 encounter between India and Bangladesh, the second semi-final and the



final, subject to Pakistan not qualifying for the final.

Guwahati's Barsapara Cricket Stadium will now host the tournament opener as well as the England vs South Africa game on October 3. On the other hand, the DY Patil Stadium will host the games on October 20 (Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh), October 26 (India vs Bangladesh), as well as the second semi-final and final.

Colombo's R Premadasa Stadium, which was scheduled to host the October 20 game previously and will now host the October 11 clash between England and Sri Lanka, which was slated for Guwahati earlier. Colombo will host 11 matches in the group stage and the first semi-final and the final if Pakistan advance to the next stage. 

The number of matches in the Northeastern city of Guwahati has remained four, but the fixtures have changed. Apart from the two Bengaluru matches, Guwahati has also got the October 10 game between New Zealand and Bangladesh. And Visakhapatnam, the original hosts of the October 10 game, now has the October 26 game between England and New Zealand.

The group stage ends with the October 26 clash between India and Bangladesh, before the knockouts begin on October 29. The final is scheduled to be held on November 2.