ICC Announces Record $13.88M Prize Money for 2025 Women’s World Cup

Post by : Mumtaaz Qadiri

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a huge increase in prize money for the upcoming 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup. The total prize pool for the tournament is now $13.88 million, almost four times higher than the $3.5 million offered at the last Women’s World Cup held in New Zealand in 2022. This increase marks a 297 percent rise, showing the ICC’s strong commitment to promoting women’s cricket.

The 2025 tournament will be hosted in India and Sri Lanka, and this prize money even exceeds the total prize money of the last men’s World Cup in India, which was $10 million. ICC Chairman Jay Shah called the increase a “landmark moment” for women’s cricket, reflecting the organization’s aim to treat women players on par with men and to inspire the next generation of cricketers and fans.

Prize Distribution for Winners and Runners-Up

The winners of the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup will receive $4.48 million. This is a 239 percent increase from the $1.32 million awarded to Australia in the 2022 tournament. The runners-up team will receive $2.24 million, a 273 percent rise from the $600,000 earned by England three years ago. Each of the two losing semi-finalists will earn $1.12 million, up from $300,000 in 2022.

This prize structure clearly shows ICC’s effort to reward excellence in women’s cricket and to make it financially worthwhile for players who choose cricket as a professional career. The announcement is also a sign that women’s cricket is gaining global recognition and attention.

Participation Rewards for All Teams

Even teams that do not reach the semi-finals will earn prize money. Every group stage participant is guaranteed $250,000. Teams that win group stage matches will receive $34,314 per win. Teams finishing fifth and sixth in the final rankings will earn $700,000 each, while those finishing seventh and eighth will receive $280,000.

These financial incentives ensure that all teams, no matter their results, are rewarded for participating, which encourages broader competitiveness and supports the growth of cricket programs in all participating countries.

ICC’s Commitment to Pay Parity

The ICC announced this prize money increase as part of its strategy to promote pay parity in cricket. Ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, the organization introduced measures to ensure women cricketers are treated equally to men. This step in prize money is part of a long-term plan to strengthen women’s cricket, increase participation, and give players better financial security.

Jay Shah, ICC Chairman, said, “Women cricketers must know they will be treated on par with men if they choose this sport professionally. The uplift in prize money reflects our ambition to deliver a world-class Women’s Cricket World Cup and to inspire the next generation of players and fans.”

Growth of Women’s Cricket Worldwide

ICC emphasized that the rise in prize money is also intended to accelerate the growth of women’s cricket globally. The organization wants all stakeholders, including fans, media, partners, and member boards, to support and recognize women’s cricket. The announcement shows that women’s cricket is on a strong upward trajectory and that the ICC aims to maintain this momentum in the coming years.

The increased prize money and recognition also highlight the importance of women’s cricket in promoting sports equality and encouraging more young girls to pursue cricket professionally.

Start of the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup

The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup will begin on September 30, with India and Sri Lanka playing the opening match in Guwahati. The tournament will feature eight top teams from around the world competing for the prestigious title and the record-breaking prize money.

The ICC’s announcement has generated excitement among players and fans alike. Many expect a highly competitive tournament with improved performance levels, as teams will be motivated by both recognition and financial rewards.

A Milestone for Women’s Cricket

The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup represents a defining moment in women’s cricket history. With record prize money, global attention, and a focus on equality, the tournament is expected to set new standards for future women’s cricket events. The ICC’s decision underlines its dedication to empowering women athletes and fostering the growth of cricket as a professional sport for women worldwide.

The event also aims to inspire a new generation of players and fans, ensuring that women’s cricket continues to expand, receive recognition, and achieve parity with men’s cricket in terms of professional opportunities and rewards.

Women’s cricket, ICC World Cup, Prize money