Guwahati crowd delivers historic moment
The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 began with a landmark achievement on Sunday, as the opening clash between India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati set a new attendance record for the tournament.
A crowd of 22,843 spectators packed into the ACA Stadium, making it the most-watched group-stage match in the history of the Women’s Cricket World Cup. The figure comfortably surpassed the previous record of 15,935, set during last year’s India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup encounter in South Africa.
The electric atmosphere underlined the growing appetite for women’s cricket, with fans turning up in record numbers to witness the start of the 13th edition of the marquee event.
Breaking barriers beyond the field
The record attendance is only the latest milestone in a tournament already celebrated for raising new benchmarks. Alongside improved fan engagement and accessibility, this year’s World Cup boasts the largest-ever prize money pool in women’s cricket, surpassing even the men’s ODI World Cup held in 2023.
Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, writing in his ICC column, praised the strides the women’s game has made over the past few years.
“The Women’s Premier League has been nothing short of a game-changer. It has given visibility, financial security, and a platform that generations of women cricketers could only dream of,” Tendulkar noted.
He credited BCCI secretary Jay Shah for spearheading equal match fees for men and women, while also acknowledging the ICC’s decision to enhance prize money.
“Symbolically and practically, it sends a powerful message—that women’s cricket deserves not just applause, but equal respect,” Tendulkar added.
The bigger picture
This year’s Women’s World Cup features eight teams competing for the ultimate prize in cricket. With the opener setting such a precedent, the tournament is poised not only to showcase elite competition on the field but also to underline the rapid growth and global appeal of women’s cricket.
The Guwahati record is more than just a number—it’s a statement. It reflects how far the women’s game has come, and how much further it can go with continued investment, support, and passionate fan backing.