WPL 2025: Baroda and Lucknow shortlisted as venues for tournament

The much-awaited third edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL) will be taking place in two phases across two cities. According to reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has shortlisted Baroda and Lucknow as the potential venues for the competition.

According to Cricbuzz, the WPL 2025 season will be commencing on February 6 or 7 in Lucknow. On the other hand, Baroda is in contention to host the second phase of the tournament including the final.

While the BCCI is yet to officially confirm the dates and venues for the five franchises, it has already held informal discussions with the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) and the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA). The board is likely to make a formal announcement regarding the venue and the date soon.

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Baroda has recently raised an international standard facility, the Kotambi Stadium. The stadium was opened in December 2024 and hosted the three-match ODI series between India and West Indies women's teams. The venue has also hosted several senior Women's T20 tournament matches and a few Ranji Trophy games.

Baroda Cricket Association (BCA), which has been allotted the knockout rounds of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, is also likely to conduct the semifinals and final under lights at the Kotambi Stadium to check the full preparedness of the new facility.

With the BCCI planning to host the WPL in two phases, the BCA has sought to host the second phase in order to give the finishing touches to the venue. The news outlet also reported that the WPL 2025 final is likely to take place around March 8-9.

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Venue for the first two seasons of the WPL:

The first edition of the competition was held entirely in Mumbai. The games were played across two venues - Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, and the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai. WPL's second edition of the tournament was played in Bengaluru and Delhi.

The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru hosted the first phase of the tournament while Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium hosted the second phase.

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Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the defending champions. The Smriti Mandhana-led side beat Delhi Capitals in the title decider to win the WPL for the first time.