Women’s cricket is set to take centre stage with the ICC Womens World Cup 2025, beginning September 30. Hosted officially by India, with some matches shifted to Sri Lanka, the event promises high drama, fierce rivalries, and the chance for history to be made. Defending champions Australia are looking for an eighth crown, while in-form India, playing at home, are eyeing their first-ever ODI World Cup triumph.
This comprehensive guide covers everything fans need to know: tournament format, venues, teams, key matches including the India vs Pakistan clash, prize money, ticket details, and the star players who could light up the World Cup.
When Does the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Start and End?
The opening match of the tournament takes place on September 30, 2025, when hosts India face Sri Lanka in Guwahati. The tournament will run for over a month, culminating in the final on November 2, 2025.
- Opening Match: India vs Sri Lanka (Guwahati)
- Semifinals: October 29 (Guwahati/Colombo if Pakistan qualifies) and October 30 (Navi Mumbai)
- Final: November 2 (Navi Mumbai or Colombo if Pakistan qualifies)
Why Are Some Matches Being Played in Sri Lanka?
Although India is the official host, Sri Lanka was added as a neutral venue for matches involving Pakistan. This decision stems from political tensions and a lack of bilateral cricket between the neighbours, who last toured each other more than a decade ago.
An ICC-brokered compromise ensures Pakistan’s matches will be staged in Colombo to maintain fairness and safety, echoing recent tournament hosting arrangements in South Asia.
ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Venues
The tournament will be split across iconic venues in India and Sri Lanka:
- Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai (India)
- Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati (India)
- Holkar Stadium, Indore (India)
- Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam (India)
- R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (Sri Lanka)
These stadiums have hosted high-profile international games and are expected to draw large crowds, especially for India’s fixtures.
Which Teams Qualified for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025?
Eight teams will compete:
- India (hosts)
- Australia
- England
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Bangladesh
- Pakistan
- India qualified automatically as hosts.
- Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka qualified via top positions in the ICC Women’s Championship 2022–25.
- Bangladesh and Pakistan secured their places through World Cup qualifiers.
The Most Anticipated Clash: India vs Pakistan
Few fixtures in world cricket generate as much excitement as India vs Pakistan, and this World Cup will be no different.
- Date: October 5, 2025
- Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
India has dominated this rivalry in ODIs, winning every match against Pakistan since 2005. Their last meeting was in the 2022 World Cup in South Africa, where India extended their unbeaten streak.
With rising talents like Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma in India’s squad, and Pakistan banking on Fatima Sana and Sidra Amin, the clash is expected to be a fiery contest both on and off the field.
Tournament Format and Schedule
- Round-robin stage (September 30 – October 26): Each team plays the others once.
- Top Four Teams: Qualify for the semifinals on October 29 and 30.
- Final: November 2.
Key Group-Stage Matches to Watch
- India vs Pakistan — October 5
- India vs Australia — October 12
- India vs England — October 19
- Australia vs England — October 22
- Australia vs South Africa — October 25
Who Are the Favourites?
- Australia: Seven-time winners, defending champions, and cricket’s most dominant women’s team. Led by Alyssa Healy, with superstars like Ellyse Perry and Megan Schutt, they remain the team to beat.
- India: Hosts, in-form, and motivated to win their first-ever ODI World Cup. With Smriti Mandhana in peak batting form and a strong bowling lineup, this may be their best chance.
- England: Past champions with depth in both batting and spin, led by players like Sophie Ecclestone.
- South Africa & New Zealand: Dangerous sides capable of causing upsets with talents like Laura Wolvaardt and Amelia Kerr.
Players to Watch in ICC Women’s World Cup 2025
- Smriti Mandhana (India): Four ODI hundreds in 2025 already.
- Deepti Sharma (India): All-rounder with match-winning abilities.
- Alyssa Healy (Australia): Captain and explosive opener.
- Ellyse Perry (Australia): Veteran all-rounder still in top form.
- Sophie Ecclestone (England): World’s top-ranked bowler.
- Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka): Match-winner on home soil.
- Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa): Stylish batter with consistency.
- Amelia Kerr (New Zealand): Versatile all-rounder.
- Sidra Amin (Pakistan): Anchor of Pakistan’s batting order.
- Nahida Akter (Bangladesh): Rising spin star.
Prize Money Breakdown
The ICC has confirmed a record prize pool of $13.88 million:
- Winners: $4.48 million
- Runners-up: $2.24 million
- Semifinalists (losing): $1.12 million each
- 5th & 6th place: $700,000 each
- 7th & 8th place: $280,000 each
The increased prize money reflects the ICC’s push to elevate women’s cricket to the same global stage as the men’s game.
Ticket Information
Tickets for all matches are available on the official ICC ticketing website.
- Prices start as low as $1, making it accessible to families and young fans.
- Premium seating and hospitality packages are also available.
- Given the demand, especially for India’s matches, fans are encouraged to book early.
Past Champions of the Women’s World Cup
- 1973: England
- 1978: Australia
- 1982: Australia
- 1988: Australia
- 1993: England
- 1997: Australia
- 2000: New Zealand
- 2005: Australia
- 2009: England
- 2013: Australia
- 2017: England
- 2022: Australia
Australia’s dominance is clear, but the 2025 edition may finally see another country end their reign.
Beyond the Boundaries: Women’s Cricket on the Rise
The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 is more than just a sporting tournament — it represents the accelerating growth of women’s cricket worldwide. With record-breaking broadcast deals, growing fan bases, and global icons like Mandhana, Healy, and Ecclestone, this World Cup is poised to set new standards for the women’s game.
For India, the event is a chance to replicate the nation’s love affair with men’s cricket and channel it into the women’s format. For Australia, it is another opportunity to showcase their dynasty. For Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, it is about proving their resilience on the global stage.
One thing is certain: this tournament will not only crown a champion but also push women’s cricket further into the mainstream sporting spotlight.
