Women’s WC 2025 winners to get record Rs 40 crore prize money
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Dubai: The winners of the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 are set to receive the largest-ever prize money in the history of the tournament, with a massive increase from USD 1.32 million (Rs 11.65 crore) in the previous edition to USD 4.48 million (Rs 39.55 crore), the sport’s global governing body announced on Monday.
The 13th edition of the tournament, starting on September 30, will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka across five venues – Guwahati, Indore, Navi Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, and Colombo. The overall prize money for the eight-team event has seen nearly a three-fold rise, with a total purse of USD 13.88 million (approximately Rs 122.5 crore).
“The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced a staggering four-fold increase in prize money for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. The ICC sets a new benchmark for women’s cricket as champions walk away with a record USD 4.48 million in prize money,” the governing body said in a statement.
The overall prize money represents a 297 per cent increase from the USD 3.5 million (Rs 31 crore approx) at the last edition held in New Zealand in 2022 and surpasses the total prize pool of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, which stood at USD 10 million (Rs 88.26 crore approx).
The runners-up will now receive USD 2.24 million (Rs 19.77 crore approx), up 273 per cent from the USD 600,000 (Rs 5.30 crore) awarded to England in 2022. The two losing semi-finalists will earn USD 1.12 million (Rs 9.89 crore approx) each, doubling from USD 300,000 (Rs 2.65 crore approx). Group-stage victories will fetch USD 34,314 (Rs 30.29 lakh) per match, while teams finishing fifth and sixth will take home USD 700,000 (Rs 62 lakh approx) each, and those in seventh and eighth place will earn USD 280,000 (Rs 24.71 lakh approx). Each participating team is guaranteed USD 250,000 (Rs 22 lakh approx).
The ICC said the increase is part of its strategy to boost the popularity of women’s cricket worldwide and move towards pay parity with the men’s game. “The increased prize money aligns with the ICC’s strategy to focus on the growth of the women’s game. A decision to introduce pay parity was announced ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024,” the statement added.
The winner of the tournament will receive USD 4.48 million, a 239 per cent rise from the USD 1.32 million (Rs 11.65 crore) awarded to Australia for winning their seventh title three years ago. The last Men’s World Cup winners received USD 4 million (Rs 35.31 crore approx).
ICC chairman Jay Shah described the increase as a “defining milestone” for women’s cricket, stating, “This four-fold increase in prize money is a landmark moment for women’s cricket and reflects our clear commitment to its long-term growth. Women cricketers must know they will be treated on par with men if they choose this sport professionally.”
The ICC said the boost in prize money underscores its ambition to deliver a world-class Women’s Cricket World Cup and inspire the next generation of players and fans. “Women’s cricket is on a remarkable upward trajectory, and with this step we are confident the momentum will accelerate. We call upon all stakeholders, fans, media, partners, and Member Boards, to join us in championing the women’s game and ensuring it receives the recognition and respect it deserves,” the statement added.
With PTI inputs
