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Women’s World Cup 2025: Bengaluru Matches Shifted, Thiruvananthapuram Likely to Step In
The upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 will see a significant change in its venue lineup, with Bengaluru being dropped from the list of host cities. Sources suggest that Thiruvananthapuram is now the front-runner to take over the displaced matches, including the much-anticipated tournament opener featuring India on September 30.
Bengaluru Loses Hosting Rights
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) failed to secure the necessary permissions from state authorities, despite the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) granting a two-day extension beyond the original deadline of August 9. The final decision was reportedly taken late on August 11, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) set to make an official announcement soon.
Originally, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was scheduled to host five matches, including the inaugural clash and key fixtures such as India vs Bangladesh and England vs South Africa. It was also tipped as a possible venue for the final on November 2.
Why the Venue Change Happened
Government Restrictions and Past Incidents
The turning point came after the tragic events of June 4 during RCB’s victory celebrations in Bengaluru, where 11 fans lost their lives and many others were injured. In the aftermath, the Karnataka state government tightened its stance on hosting large-scale cricket events in the city.
These restrictions have already impacted domestic tournaments, including the Maharaja Cup, which had to be relocated to Mysuru. Now, the Women’s World Cup becomes the latest high-profile event to be affected.
Likely New Host City
While Hyderabad was considered, sources indicate that Thiruvananthapuram has the stronger chance of hosting the displaced matches. The city’s Greenfield International Stadium offers modern facilities and has previously hosted high-profile cricket matches successfully.
Chennai was also evaluated but ruled out, as the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) confirmed the Chepauk stadium would be unavailable until December due to ongoing renovations.
Tournament Structure and Schedule
The Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 will be played from September 30 to November 2 and features eight teams: India, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
In total, there will be 31 matches, including 28 league games, two semi-finals, and the final. As per ICC’s current arrangement, all Pakistan matches will be played at neutral venues such as Colombo. If Pakistan reaches the final, Colombo will host the title match.
For a deeper look at India’s Women’s World Cup preparations, check our detailed coverage here.
Possible Schedule Adjustments
With Bengaluru out, the ICC may need to partially or fully revise the Women’s World Cup schedule to accommodate the new host city. Given that the tournament opener and several key games were originally set for Chinnaswamy Stadium, this could impact logistics, ticketing, and fan travel plans.
Impact on Future Cricket Events in Bengaluru
The state government’s stricter stance could affect not just the Women’s World Cup but also the T20 World Cup 2026 and future IPL seasons. Unless there’s a shift in policy, Bengaluru’s role as a major cricket hub might diminish significantly in the coming years.
For more updates on international cricket schedules, visit the official ICC website.
