All Women’s World Cup matches shifted from Bengaluru, Pakistan to play in Colombo

Pakistan’s Muneeba Ali plays shot during a match against Ireland at the Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin on August 10, 2025. (PCB/File)
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Updated 22 August 2025
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All Women’s World Cup matches shifted from Bengaluru, Pakistan to play in Colombo

  • ICC dropped Bengaluru as a venue after a June stampede killed 11 at Chinnaswamy Stadium
  • Mumbai is now added as another venue, with the final set to take place there or in Colombo

NEW DELHI: The Bengaluru stadium where 11 cricket fans died during celebrations in June will no longer host Women’s World Cup matches including the opening game, the sport’s governing body said on Friday.

Mumbai will instead be one of the four Indian venues for the 50-over tournament starting on September 30, along with the Sri Lankan capital Colombo.

The International Cricket Council cited “unforeseen circumstances” for moving games away from Chinnaswamy Stadium, without saying the specific reasons.

However, local media has said that police denied permission to the Karnataka State Cricket Association to host major matches at the stadium.

On June 4 a victory parade by hundreds of thousands of fans for IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru turned deadly, with fans as young as 14 crushed to death and about 50 others hurt as supporters swarmed outside the gates of the venue.

The stadium was subsequently deemed “unsafe” by a judicial commission to host large crowds.

The opening match of the World Cup, between co-hosts India and Sri Lanka, will now be played in Guwahati.

Bengaluru had been scheduled to stage up to five World Cup games including the November 2 final, depending on whether Pakistan reach the title decider.

Pakistan will play all their matches in Colombo as part of a compromise deal.

The final will now be played in either Mumbai or Colombo.


Pitbull confirmed as headline act for Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Saturday concert

Updated 09 February 2026
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Pitbull confirmed as headline act for Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Saturday concert

  • The Grammy Award-winning global superstar will perform on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit Main Stage on April 18

JEDDAH: Pitbull has been confirmed as the headline act for the post-qualifying concert at this year’s Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, organizers announced on Sunday.

The Grammy Award-winning global superstar will perform on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit Main Stage on April 18, as part of the three-day race weekend running from April 17–19.

Pitbull, whose real name is Armando Christian Perez, is one of the most commercially successful artists of his generation, with billions of streams worldwide and numerous gold and platinum certifications.

The American artist remains a major touring draw, having completed sold-out arena runs across Europe and Australia in 2025. In January, he announced his “I AM Back Tour” in the US following a series of sold-out shows globally.

Pitbull’s appearance adds to a star-studded entertainment lineup for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend. Shakira and Kygo have already been confirmed as headliners for the post-race concert on Sunday, April 19.

Promoted by the Saudi Motorsport Co., the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has become one of F1’s standout events since joining the calendar, with the Jeddah Corniche Circuit holding the distinction of being the fastest street circuit in the championship.

The night race is staged along the Red Sea coastline and combines high-speed racing with large-scale live entertainment.