The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 will see a significant venue change, with the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai stepping in to replace Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The decision, announced on Friday, follows the Karnataka State Association’s inability to secure the necessary government clearances to host matches. This alteration impacts the tournament schedule, relocating several key fixtures.
The change stems from concerns that arose after a tragic stampede during the RCB IPL title celebrations, raising safety and crowd management issues. With the required approvals not forthcoming, the ICC moved swiftly to finalize the DY Patil Stadium as an alternative. The Navi Mumbai venue is now slated to host three league games, a semi-final, and possibly the final. However, if Pakistan qualifies for the final, the summit clash will shift to the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Revised fixtures include the India vs Sri Lanka match moving to Guwahati, and the England vs South Africa match also shifting to Guwahati. The Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh and India vs New Zealand matches will now be played in Navi Mumbai. Additional changes involve the New Zealand vs Bangladesh match moving from Vizag to Guwahati, and the England vs New Zealand match being relocated to Vizag from Guwahati. The tournament will take place from September 30 to November 2. The top four teams from the league stage will advance to the knockout phase. The DY Patil Stadium is considered a strong alternative due to its modern facilities and experience in hosting major cricket events. It is anticipated to provide excellent conditions for players and fans, ensuring India remains a central figure in the tournament.