The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that Bengaluru will no longer host matches in the upcoming Women’s World Cup, months after a deadly tragedy at the city’s iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The tournament, set to begin on September 30, was originally scheduled to have its opening game and up to five fixtures — including the potential final — played in Bengaluru. However, the ICC confirmed on Friday that matches have been shifted to other venues, citing “unforeseen circumstances.”
Local reports suggest that authorities refused to grant approval for major matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium following the June 4 disaster, when celebrations for IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru turned deadly. A massive victory parade drew hundreds of thousands of fans, but chaos outside the stadium gates led to a deadly stampede. At least 11 people, including teenagers as young as 14, lost their lives, while around 50 others were injured.
In the aftermath, a judicial commission declared the stadium “unsafe” for hosting large crowds, effectively ruling it out for the global tournament.
As a result, the opening clash between co-hosts India and Sri Lanka will now take place in Guwahati, while Mumbai and Colombo have been confirmed as key venues.
In a compromise arrangement, Pakistan will play all their matches in Colombo, and the final is set to be held in either Mumbai or Colombo, depending on the tournament’s progression.
