Women's T20 World Cup to have record prize pool

This year's Women's Twenty20 World Cup will have a tournament‑record prize pool of US$15 million (NZ$25.5m), with the winners set to earn US$3.9m (NZ$6.6m), the International Cricket Council (ICC) said.

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

The White Ferns received US$3.9m (NZ$6.6m) when they won in Dubai in 2024.

"The runners‑up will receive US$1.17m (NZ$2m). Both losing semi‑finalists will earn US$675,000 (NZ$1.15m) each," the ICC said in a statement, adding that every participating team was guaranteed a minimum prize of US$248,000 (NZ$420,000).

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$13.9m (NZ$23.6m), the highest pot at an ICC event, and a 297 percent increase from its previous edition in 2022. Champions India took home US$4.5m (NZ$7.7m).

The 2023 edition of the men's 50‑over World Cup, held in India, had a prize pot of US$10m (NZ$17m), while this year's men's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka offered US$11.25m (NZ$19.1m) 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.

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