The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced a prize pool of $13.88 million (Rs 122.5 crore approx.) for the upcoming Women’s World Cup to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka later this month. The amount represents a 297 per cent jump from the $3.5 million prize purse at the 2022 edition in New Zealand, marking the biggest-ever financial boost for the women’s game.
Winner to earn $4.48 mn
The World Cup champion will pocket $4.48 million (Rs 39.4 crore), which is higher than the $4 million awarded to the winner of the 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup. The runners-up will receive $2.24 million (Rs 19.71 crore), while the two losing semi-finalists are set to earn $1.12 million (Rs 9.8 crore) each.
In the group stage, every participating team is assured of $250,000 (Rs 2.2 crore), with an additional $34,314 (Rs 30.19 lakh) for every match victory. The fifth-placed side will take home $700,000 (Rs 6.16 crore), while the sixth-placed team will collect $280,000 (Rs 2.46 crore).
‘Landmark moment’ for women’s cricket
Calling it a defining milestone, ICC Chairman Jay Shah said the four-fold increase reflected the governing body’s commitment to women’s cricket. “Our message is simple — women cricketers must know they will be treated on par with men if they choose this sport professionally,” he said.
“The uplift underscores our ambition to deliver a world-class ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and to inspire the next generation of players and fans,” Shah added.
The tournament will open on September 30 at Guwahati’s Barsapara Cricket Stadium, with hosts India facing Sri Lanka in the curtain-raiser.