Mullanpur to Host Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 Final

The countdown to the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 is officially on. The tournament will run from September 26 to November 2, with the grand finale set to be played at the newly-built Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in Mullanpur.

Aside from Mullanpur, matches will be held in Visakhapatnam, Thiruvananthapuram, Raipur, and Indore. Interestingly, apart from Vizag, none of these venues have hosted a women’s international game before. The ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam last saw women’s action back in 2014 and has hosted just five ODIs and six T20Is featuring women’s teams. Indore, however, does have a bit of World Cup history — albeit from the past. Two Women’s World Cup games were held at the city’s Nehru Stadium during earlier editions, but since the construction of the Holkar Stadium, the old ground has been retired from international duty. 

The BCCI’s choice of venues has raised a few eyebrows, with critics wondering why marquee fixtures are being staged at relatively low-profile locations. But there’s a method to the madness. A source from the board told The Indian Express, “As the BCCI is going to host the 2026 World Cup, it was decided to give matches to all smaller cities so that they don’t get deprived of holding World Cup games. Those venues that will host Women’s World Cup games won’t be considered for the men’s T20 World Cup.” So, it’s all part of a rotation policy — cities that are getting a shot this time around won’t be hosting during the men’s T20 World Cup in 2026, which India will co-host. 

As for the tournament itself, six teams — India, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka — have already qualified. The remaining two spots will be filled through the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, which were being held in Lahore from April 9. Pakistan and Bangladesh are the two sides who have qualified through the qualifiers. As a result, Pakistan won’t play their matches in India — instead, they’ll play in UAE or Sri Lanka under a mutual arrangement between the BCCI and PCB ahead of the men’s Champions Trophy next year. 

The 2025 edition will follow the same format as 2022: eight teams, 31 matches, and a round-robin setup. It’s also a new era for Team India, who will go into this World Cup without legends Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. The last time they came close to winning was in 2017, when they heartbreakingly fell short against England in the final at Lord’s.  Speaking of finals, Mullanpur will be in elite company. Recent Women’s World Cup finals have been staged at iconic venues like Lord’s (2017), MCG (2020), Hagley Oval (2022), Newlands (2023), and Dubai (2024).