Introduction:
The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, the premier 50-over tournament for women's international cricket, is poised to captivate fans worldwide as it gets underway from September 30 to November 2, 2025, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in a groundbreaking hybrid model across five iconic venues. This 13th edition features eight powerhouse teams India, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Pakistan, England, and South Africa competing in a round-robin format, where the top four will advance to semi-finals on October 30 and 31, culminating in the grand final at Colombo's R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on November 2. The opening match pits co-hosts India against Sri Lanka at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati on September 30, setting the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested event.
Announced in June 2025 by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the tournament follows an agreement between the BCCI and PCB to play India-Pakistan matches at neutral venues, ensuring smooth logistics amid geopolitical sensitivities. A revised schedule, released on August 22, 2025, replaced Bengaluru with Navi Mumbai as a host city, reflecting adaptive planning for weather and infrastructure. With a total prize pool of $13.88 million the highest ever for a women's ICC event the winners stand to claim $3.5 million, underscoring the sport's growing financial parity. Broadcast on Star Sports in India and streamed on JioHotstar, the World Cup arrives on the heels of record viewership from the 2022 edition in New Zealand, where Australia defended their title. Why does this matter? As women's cricket surges globally, with participation up 25% since 2022, the 2025 edition in the subcontinent could shatter attendance records and inspire the next generation, particularly in India, where the sport's popularity has skyrocketed post-Harmanpreet Kaur's leadership. This article covers the schedule, teams, venues, prize money, broadcast details, historical context, key players, and predictions, providing a complete guide to the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025.
Tournament Schedule: Key Matches and Fixtures
The 2025 World Cup features 31 matches in a round-robin format, with each team playing the other seven once. The top four advance to semi-finals, with the final on November 2. Here's the full schedule:
Opening Week (September 30 – October 5)
- September 30: India vs Sri Lanka (Guwahati) – 3:00 PM IST.
- October 1: Australia vs New Zealand (Bengaluru) – 3:00 PM IST.
- October 2: Bangladesh vs Pakistan (Navi Mumbai) – 3:00 PM IST.
- October 3: England vs South Africa (Dharamsala) – 3:00 PM IST.
- October 4: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand (Colombo) – 3:00 PM IST.
- October 5: India vs Australia (Dharamsala) – 3:00 PM IST.
Mid-Tournament (October 6 – October 20)
- October 6: Pakistan vs South Africa (Navi Mumbai) – 3:00 PM IST.
- October 7: Bangladesh vs England (Guwahati) – 3:00 PM IST.
- October 8: Sri Lanka vs Australia (Colombo) – 3:00 PM IST.
- October 9: India vs Pakistan (Navi Mumbai) – 3:00 PM IST (neutral venue).
- October 10: New Zealand vs South Africa (Bengaluru) – 3:00 PM IST.
- October 11: Bangladesh vs Australia (Dharamsala) – 3:00 PM IST.
- October 12: England vs Sri Lanka (Colombo) – 3:00 PM IST.
- October 13: Pakistan vs New Zealand (Guwahati) – 3:00 PM IST.
- October 14: India vs Bangladesh (Bengaluru) – 3:00 PM IST.
- October 15: South Africa vs Sri Lanka (Navi Mumbai) – 3:00 PM IST.
Closing Rounds (October 16 – October 20)
- October 16: Australia vs England (Colombo) – 3:00 PM IST.
- October 17: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (Dharamsala) – 3:00 PM IST.
- October 18: India vs South Africa (Guwahati) – 3:00 PM IST.
- October 19: New Zealand vs Bangladesh (Navi Mumbai) – 3:00 PM IST.
- October 20: Australia vs Pakistan (Bengaluru) – 3:00 PM IST.
Semi-finals: October 30 (TBD) and October 31 (TBD); Final: November 2 in Colombo.
Teams and Squads: The Eight Contenders
The eight qualified teams bring a mix of experience and youth:
- India (Hosts): Defending champions (2017); Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma.
- Sri Lanka (Co-Hosts): 1997 winners; Chamari Athapaththu (c), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Inoka Ranaweera.
- Australia: 6-time champions; Alyssa Healy (c), Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning (returning).
- New Zealand: 2022 finalists; Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr.
- England: 2017 runners-up; Heather Knight (c), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone.
- South Africa: 2022 semi-finalists; Laura Wolvaardt (c), Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits.
- Pakistan: 2022 quarter-finalists; Fatima Sana (c), Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz.
- Bangladesh: Rising force; Nigar Sultana (c), Fargana Hoque, Nahida Akter.
Squads were announced in August-September 2025, with India revealing theirs on August 21.
Venues: Five Iconic Grounds Across Two Nations
The hybrid model utilizes five venues:
- Assam Cricket Association Stadium, Guwahati (India): Capacity 46,000; hosts opener (India vs SL) and up to 5 matches.
- Bengaluru (M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, India): Capacity 40,000; 5 matches, including AUS vs NZ.
- Navi Mumbai (DY Patil Stadium, India): Capacity 33,000; 5 matches, including IND vs PAK (neutral).
- Dharamsala (HPCA Stadium, India): Capacity 25,000; 5 matches, including IND vs AUS.
- Colombo (R. Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka): Capacity 35,000; up to 13 matches, including the final.
These venues, with their history of hosting World Cups (e.g., 2011 Men's in Guwahati), ensure world-class facilities.Zimbabwe vs Tanzania Match Preview A Battle of Rising African Contenders
Prize Money and Format: $13.88 Million Pool
The tournament offers a record $13.88 million in prize money:
- Winners: $3.5 million.
- Runners-up: $1.5 million.
- Semi-finalists: $800,000 each.
- Group Stage: $200,000–$400,000 based on wins.
Format: 31 round-robin matches (each team plays 7), top 4 to semis; no plate competition.
Broadcast and Streaming: How to Watch
- India: Star Sports Network (live telecast); JioHotstar app (streaming).
- Global: Willow TV (U.S.), Sky Sports (UK), Fox Sports (Australia).
- Highlights: ICC website, YouTube.
Viewership projected at 1 billion+, per ICC.
Historical Context: Women's World Cup Evolution
- First Edition: 1973 (England, 7 teams).
- India's Hostings: 1978, 1997, 2013 (Women's).
- Sri Lanka's Debut: First time co-hosting.
- Defending Champs: Australia (2022, 6th title).
- India's Best: 2022 runners-up (lost to AUS).
Total editions: 13; Australia 6 wins, England 4.
Key Players and Predictions: Stars to Watch
- Harmanpreet Kaur (India): Captain, 7,500+ ODI runs; key batter.
- Chamari Athapaththu (SL): All-rounder, 7,000+ runs; hosts' star.
- Alyssa Healy (AUS): Wicketkeeper-batter, 4,000+ runs.
- Sophie Devine (NZ): All-rounder, 5,000+ runs.
Prediction: Australia favorites (6/1 odds), India strong contenders at home (4/1).
Potential Impacts: On Women's Cricket Growth
The 2025 World Cup could boost participation 20% in India/SL, per ICC, with $13.88M prize money promoting parity. It elevates women's sport visibility, inspiring youth amid 25% global growth since 2022.ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Opener
Conclusion: A Global Spectacle Awaits
The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, from September 30 to November 2, promises thrilling cricket across India and Sri Lanka, with India-SL opener setting the stage. Tune in on Star Sports more on nuvexic.com.
FAQ
Q1-When does the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 start?
The tournament begins on September 30, 2025, with the opening match between co-hosts India and Sri Lanka at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati, marking the start of a 31-match schedule that runs until the final on November 2 in Colombo, featuring eight teams in a round-robin format where the top four advance to semi-finals.
Q2-Which teams are participating in the 2025 Women's World Cup?
Eight teams will compete: India and Sri Lanka (co-hosts), Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Pakistan, England, and South Africa, all qualified through various ICC pathways, with Australia as defending champions from 2022, England as 2017 winners, and India seeking their first title since 1983 in a bid to capitalize on home advantage.
Q3-Where will the 2025 Women's World Cup be held?
The event uses a hybrid model with five venues: Assam Cricket Association Stadium (Guwahati), M. Chinnaswamy Stadium (Bengaluru), DY Patil Stadium (Navi Mumbai), HPCA Stadium (Dharamsala) in India, and R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo) in Sri Lanka, hosting 31 matches including semi-finals and the final, with Navi Mumbai added after Bengaluru's withdrawal for logistical reasons.
Q4-What is the prize money for the 2025 Women's World Cup?
The total prize pool is a record $13.88 million, with $3.5 million for the winners, $1.5 million for runners-up, $800,000 each for semi-finalists, and $200,000 to $400,000 for group stage teams based on wins, reflecting the ICC's commitment to elevating women's cricket financially and competitively on the global stage.
Q5-How can I watch the 2025 Women's World Cup in India?
In India, matches will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and streamed on the JioHotstar app, providing comprehensive coverage including live commentary, highlights, and replays, ensuring fans can follow every ball from the opener in Guwahati to the final in Colombo with high-quality production and expert analysis.