Women’s World Cup 2025 Opener Draws Unprecedented Attendance in Guwahati
History was made on September 30, 2025, during the opening match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. Hosted at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Barsapara, Guwahati, the match between India and Sri Lanka drew a staggering crowd of 22,843 spectators—setting a new benchmark for attendance in women’s cricket.
This remarkable turnout is now officially the highest ever for a group stage fixture in any ICC Women’s event, as confirmed by the International Cricket Council (ICC). It also marks the largest crowd for a Women’s World Cup opener, surpassing all previous records for early-stage matches in ICC women’s tournaments.
Previous Record Surpassed by Over 6,000 Fans
The previous record attendance for a group stage game in women’s cricket was set during the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. That match, featuring India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium, saw 15,935 fans in attendance. The 2025 World Cup opener in Guwahati surpassed that number by nearly 7,000—a clear signal of the sport’s growing popularity and fan engagement, especially in India.
According to an ICC press release:
“The attendance of 22,843 spectators for the opening match of the ICC WCWC 2025 is the highest ever for a group stage fixture at any ICC Women’s event.”
While women’s cricket continues to scale new heights, the record for men’s cricket remains higher in terms of raw numbers. The 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup opener between New Zealand and England drew 47,518 fans to the massive Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Despite the larger number, the women’s match in Guwahati is being celebrated as a massive leap forward for women’s sports, especially in a country where cricket is followed with fervent passion.
The buzz surrounding the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup is off to a strong start, and with numbers like these, it’s evident that women’s cricket is not just growing—it’s thriving.
