Women’s T20 World Cup to have US$8.8 million prize pool

THIS year’s Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup will have a tournament-record prize pool of US$8.8 million with the winners set to earn US$2.3 million, the International Cricket ‌Council (ICC) said on Monday.

The 12-team competition will be held in England and Wales from June 12, with New Zealand set to defend the maiden title they won in 2024.

“The runners-up will receive US$1.17 million. Both losing semi-finalists will earn US$675 000 each,” the ICC said in a statement, adding that every participating team was guaranteed a minimum prize of US $248 000.

The prize pool will be smaller than those at the men’s and women’s World Cups held in the Indian subcontinent in the last three years.

Last year’s 50-over Women’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka had a ‌prize pool of US$13.9 million, the highest pot at an ICC event, and a 297% increase from its previous edition in 2022. Champions India took home US$4.5 million. The 2023 edition of the men’s 50-over World Cup, held in India, had a prize pot of US$10 million, while this year’s men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka offered US$11.25 million in prize money. “The continued rise of women’s cricket through increased investment and opportunity reflects the growing influence and impact of female athletes on the global stage,” the ICC’s CEO Sanjog Gupta said. — Reuters