Prize money for the next ICC Women’s World Cup, to be hosted in New Zealand in early 2021, has been increased to $US3.5 million ($NZD5,563,768) – up from $US2 million when the event was last held in England in 2017.
The ICC has also committed to a significant increase in prize money for the T20 Women’s World Cup to be held in Australia in 2020 - the winners and runners up will now receive $1 million and $500,000 respectively; five times the amount on offer in 2018 – and approved the establishment of a biennial U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
“This is tremendous news for women’s cricket, and cricket in general,” CEO of ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 Andrea Nelson said.
“The total increase of prize money for the two major international showpiece tournaments for women’s cricket in this coming cycle is $US2.6 million. That – as well as the establishment of another major global tournament that will provide a pipeline of future talent – demonstrates ICC’s commitment to continuing to grow the women’s game.
“This will have a positive effect at all levels of the game, helping to grow interest, increase exposure and bolster pathways for the next generation of stars. The news comes as a great time as we ramp up preparations for hosting what will be an incredible global event in 2021.”
In 2013, total prize money for the Women’s World Cup was $US200,000.
The latest increases follow a rise in the revenue generated by the sport, a proportion of which is assigned to prize money.
ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said: “We have already stated our long-term commitment to reach parity across men’s and women’s cricket as part of a broader plan to grow and develop the women’s game.
“We want to build a long-term sustainable foundation for women’s cricket and that is about more than just prize money. It is about building a product that fans want to watch, that kids want to take up, that sponsors and broadcasters want to be part of. Creating a Women’s U19 event also improves the pathway available to young cricketers and ensures they have the same opportunities as their male counterparts.
“This is a journey we started in earnest in 2017 and next year it’s our ambition to fill the MCG on International Women’s Day for the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020, which would be a world record for a women’s sporting event.
“This significant increase in prize money and the introduction of a Women’s U19 event is part of a much larger effort to grow the women’s game around the world.”
