Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025: Complete Schedule, Teams, Venues & Match Fixtures Guide

The cricket world is gearing up for one of the most anticipated tournaments of the year – the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. Set to commence on September 30, 2025, this prestigious tournament promises to be a spectacular showcase of women’s cricket talent across India and Sri Lanka. As cricket enthusiasts eagerly await this mega event, fans can also look forward to upcoming tournaments like the T20 World Cup 2026 schedule which will continue the cricket calendar’s exciting journey.

The 13th edition of the Women’s Cricket World Cup represents a landmark moment in cricket history, featuring groundbreaking prize money, top-tier venues, and fierce competition among eight elite teams. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about this monumental tournament.

Tournament Overview: A Historic Edition

The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup marks several significant milestones in women’s cricket. This will be India’s fourth time hosting the premier women’s 50-over tournament, having previously welcomed teams in 1978, 1997, and 2013. For Sri Lanka, this represents their debut as World Cup hosts, adding extra excitement to their participation.

Key Tournament Facts

Qualified Teams: Elite Eight Ready for Battle

The tournament features cricket’s finest women’s teams, each having earned their place through different qualification pathways:

Host Nations

• India (Automatic qualification as primary host)
• Sri Lanka (Co-host nation)

ICC Women’s Championship Qualifiers (2022-2025)

• Australia – Defending champions seeking eighth title
• England – Former champions and strong contenders
• New Zealand – Consistent performers in major tournaments
• South Africa – Rising force in women’s cricket

2025 Qualifier Tournament Winners

• Bangladesh – Emerging cricket nation
• Pakistan – Experienced campaigners

Notably absent are the West Indies, who failed to qualify for the first time since 2000, marking a significant shift in global women’s cricket dynamics.

Venues: World-Class Cricket Infrastructure

The tournament utilizes five premium cricket venues across two countries, each offering unique characteristics and passionate local support.

Indian Venues

DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai

• Capacity: 45,300
• Matches: 4-5 games (including potential final)
• Notable Features: Modern facilities, excellent pitch conditions

Assam Cricket Association Stadium, Guwahati

• Capacity: 46,000
• Matches: 4-5 games (including potential semi-final)
• Special Significance: Tournament opener venue

Holkar Stadium, Indore

• Capacity: 30,000
• Matches: 5 games
• Pitch Character: Traditionally batting-friendly surface

ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam

• Capacity: 27,500
• Matches: 5 games
• Climate: Coastal conditions affecting play

Sri Lankan Venue

R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

• Capacity: 35,000
• Matches: 11-13 games (highest allocation)
• Strategic Importance: Pakistan’s designated home venue

Tournament Format: Round-Robin to Knockout Drama

The competition follows a proven format designed to showcase each team’s abilities while building toward climactic knockout stages.

Group Stage Structure

• Format: Single round-robin
• Total Matches: 28 group games
• Qualification: Top 4 teams advance to semi-finals
• Points System: Standard ODI points allocation

Knockout Stage Progression

• Semi-finals: October 29-30, 2025
• Final: November 2, 2025
• Venue Flexibility: Locations depend on Pakistan’s tournament progress

Complete Match Schedule: Day-by-Day Breakdown

Opening Week Highlights

September 30 – Tournament Opener

• India vs Sri Lanka | Guwahati | 3:00 PM
• Historic opening ceremony featuring Shreya Ghoshal’s anthem “Bring it Home”

October 1-6 – Early Group Action

• Australia vs New Zealand (Indore)
• Bangladesh vs Pakistan (Colombo)
• England vs South Africa (Guwahati)
• Australia vs Sri Lanka (Colombo)
• India vs Pakistan (Colombo) – Marquee clash

Mid-Tournament Battles (October 7-19)

Key matchups include:

• India vs Australia (Visakhapatnam) – October 12
• England vs Pakistan (Colombo) – October 15
• India vs England (Indore) – October 19

Final Group Matches (October 20-26)

• Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh (Navi Mumbai)
• Australia vs South Africa (Indore)
• India vs Bangladesh (Navi Mumbai) – Final group game

Knockout Stage

• Semi-final 1: October 29 (Guwahati/Colombo)
• Semi-final 2: October 30 (Navi Mumbai)
• Final: November 2 (Colombo/Navi Mumbai)

Record Prize Money: Historic Investment in Women’s Cricket

The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup sets new standards for prize money in women’s sports:

Prize Distribution Breakdown

• Winner: $4.48 million (exceeds 2023 Men’s World Cup)
• Runner-up: $2.24 million
• Semi-finalists: $1.12 million each
• Participation Fee: $250,000 per team
• Total Prize Pool: $13.88 million

This represents a 297% increase from the 2022 tournament, demonstrating unprecedented commitment to gender equity in cricket.

Team Squads: Star Players to Watch

All eight teams have announced their 15-member squads, featuring established stars and emerging talents:

Squad Announcement Timeline

• India: August 19 (first team announced)
• England: August 21
• Bangladesh: August 23
• Pakistan: August 25
• South Africa: September 3
• Australia: September 5
• New Zealand: September 10
• Sri Lanka: September 10 (final announcement)

Broadcasting Coverage: Global Reach

The tournament enjoys extensive worldwide coverage through major broadcasters:

Regional Broadcasting Partners

• India: Star Sports, JioHotstar
• Australia: Amazon Prime Video
• England: Sky Sports Cricket
• Pakistan: PTV Sports, Ten Sports
• Global Streaming: ICC.tv for unlisted regions

Warm-up Matches: Preparation Phase

Teams participate in warm-up fixtures from September 25-28, providing crucial preparation time. These matches lack official ODI or List A status but offer valuable match practice.

Tournament Innovations: First-Time Features

All-Female Match Officials Panel

For the first time in World Cup history, the entire officiating panel is led by female match referees and umpires, representing significant progress in cricket administration.

Neutral Venue Arrangements

Following BCCI-PCB agreements, India-Pakistan matches and Pakistan’s games are held at neutral venues in Sri Lanka, ensuring tournament integrity.

Historical Context: Legacy and Records

Previous World Cup Winners

• Australia: 7 titles (most recent: 2022)
• England: 4 titles
• New Zealand: 1 title

Tournament Milestones

• Final 8-team tournament: Future editions will expand
• Highest prize money: Surpassing men’s cricket equivalents
• Co-hosting debut: Sri Lanka’s first World Cup hosting experience

Key Storylines to Follow

Australia’s Eighth Title Quest

The defending champions enter as favorites, seeking to extend their remarkable World Cup dominance under experienced leadership.

India’s Home Advantage

Playing on familiar conditions with passionate home support, India aims to claim their maiden World Cup title after previous final appearances.

Pakistan’s Neutral Venue Challenge

Adapting to Sri Lankan conditions throughout the tournament presents unique challenges for Pakistan’s campaign.

West Indies Absence Impact

The Caribbean team’s absence creates opportunities for other nations to establish themselves among cricket’s elite.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When does the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup start? A: The tournament begins on September 30, 2025, with India facing Sri Lanka in Guwahati at 3:00 PM local time.

Q: Which teams are participating in the 2025 Women’s World Cup? A: Eight teams are competing: India, Sri Lanka, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

Q: Where will the final be played? A: The final venue depends on tournament progression – either Navi Mumbai or Colombo, scheduled for November 2, 2025.

Q: What is the total prize money for the tournament? A: The total prize pool is $13.88 million, with the winner receiving $4.48 million – the highest in women’s cricket history.

Q: Why are Pakistan’s matches played in Sri Lanka? A: Following BCCI-PCB agreements, matches involving Pakistan are held at neutral venues, specifically in Colombo.

Q: How many matches will be played in total? A: The tournament features 31 matches – 28 group stage games plus 3 knockout matches (2 semi-finals and 1 final).

Q: Which team has won the most Women’s World Cups? A: Australia leads with 7 World Cup titles and enters as defending champions from their 2022 victory.

Q: Can fans watch matches online? A: Yes, matches are available through various regional broadcasters and ICC.tv for global streaming coverage.

The 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup promises to be a watershed moment for women’s cricket, combining elite competition, record-breaking prize money, and unprecedented global coverage. As teams prepare for this historic tournament, cricket fans worldwide can anticipate a month of exceptional sporting entertainment that will undoubtedly elevate women’s cricket to new heights.