Varanasi could soon emerge as one of India’s newest cricketing destinations, with the city’s under-construction international cricket stadium being considered for major tournaments such as the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and potentially the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Varanasi Stadium in WPL 2027 venue talks
Varanasi was reportedly discussed as a possible venue during the WPL Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday.
According to a report by Jagran News journalist Abhishek Tripathi, Varanasi was mentioned alongside Mumbai’s Cricket Club of India (CCI) and Vadodara as potential venues for the upcoming WPL season.
If construction work and other preparations stay on schedule, the Varanasi cricket stadium could host WPL matches in the 2027 season.
Stadium construction nearly complete
The much-awaited cricket stadium is reportedly around 92% complete, with the remaining work expected to be finished within the next few weeks.
Before hosting a major T20 tournament, the venue is likely to get an important test through domestic cricket.
A Ranji Trophy match is expected to be played at the stadium during the October-November window, giving the authorities a chance to assess the pitch, outfield, facilities and overall match-day arrangements. This could be a crucial step before Varanasi welcomes the WPL.
30,000 fans to fit inside Varanasi Stadium
The upcoming international cricket stadium is spread across more than 30 acres in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The venue is planned to accommodate around 30,000 spectators, making it one of the major cricket grounds in the region.
Its architecture has also been designed around Varanasi’s cultural identity. The stadium features crescent-shaped roof covers, trident-inspired floodlights, ghat-style seating and facade elements inspired by Bilva leaves.
The design aims to give the venue a distinct identity while blending modern sporting infrastructure with the city’s traditional character.
WPL could open door for IPL
The WPL has generally been played across a limited number of venues. In 2026, the tournament started at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai before moving to the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium in Vadodara for the latter stages.
Vadodara also hosted the Eliminator and final. If Varanasi successfully stages WPL matches, the city could take another major step towards hosting IPL fixtures in the future.
However, that possibility will depend on the stadium being fully completed and successfully handling major women’s cricket matches.
For now, the upcoming Ranji Trophy fixture could provide the first major test for the new Varanasi cricket stadium.